The crisis triggered by FIFA President Gianni Infantino's abandoned proposal to sell a stake in the World Cup has deepened, with influential executives publicly distancing themselves from the project while scrambling to contain the damage.
After three days of unprecedented civil war in the world of football administration last week, Infantino backed away from his plan to raise $4.2bn from a new commercial rights body late on Friday night. The 56-year-old apologized for how the proposal, which would have brought private investment into the World Cup for the first time, had divided the game.
FIFA Secretary General Mattias Grafstrom sent an internal message to staff lamenting the "sad and reproachable series of events" that led to the project being "permanently abandoned", two sources revealed. "We have all been thrown into the middle of a turmoil, which is difficult to comprehend and accept," Grafstrom wrote without mentioning Infantino by name.
Arsene Wenger, FIFA's chief of Global Football Development, said he was not involved in the proposal and only learned about it through media reports. "The decision to withdraw the project was absolutely necessary and beyond question, because I firmly believe in an independent FIFA that serves our game with commitment, transparency, and integrity," Wenger stated.
Infantino's senior adviser Carlos Cordeiro resigned with immediate effect on Friday, calling the plan "a bad deal for football". FIFA's Chief Operating Officer Kevin Lamour said staff were "deceived" by Infantino, describing the proposal as a "project of one person".
Reports suggest three regional confederations united to try to force Infantino out, while UEFA confirmed sending a legal request to FIFA. Five European national associations, including England's FA, have withdrawn backing for his re-election. The federations of Morocco, Qatar, Kuwait, Lebanon, and Sri Lanka have publicly declared continued support.
UEFA and CONCACAF issued strongly worded statements saying they had lost confidence in his leadership. The Asian Football Confederation called the lack of consultation "totally unacceptable" and demanded institutional reform. According to reports, these confederations are determined to paralyze FIFA if Infantino refuses to go.
Infantino's immediate concern is avoiding an Extraordinary FIFA Congress, which would be triggered if 43 or more member associations request one. He has seven months to rebuild relationships and shore up his position. Opponents must find a candidate before the November 18 nomination deadline.
Former FIFA president Sepp Blatter proposed Lise Klaveness, head of Norway's football federation, as a potential candidate. Klaveness has criticized the move to bring in external investors and did not vote for Infantino in the last election.
Source: www.aljazeera.com