Gianni Infantino has apologized for "errors" made in controversial plans to sell stakes in competitions to private investors, but will remain FIFA president after receiving the backing of senior executives in a meeting in Morocco.
Infantino summoned members of the management board to FIFA's Africa office in Rabat on Wednesday following mounting criticism of his aborted proposals. Four hours after the meeting ended, the governing body released a statement of support.
European football's governing body UEFA said at the weekend that it has lost confidence in Infantino, calling the FIFA Forward Enterprise (FFE) proposal a "shabby, back room, opaque deal." Much criticism has come from within FIFA, including secretary general Mattias Grafstrom, who was at Wednesday's meeting.
In a statement following the meeting, Grafstrom and the management board "reaffirmed their full support" for Infantino as president. Infantino and Grafstrom also sent a signed letter to FIFA's vice-presidents, council, and 211 member associations saying they "sincerely apologize" for their errors and "commit to them not happening again."
Infantino had offered all associations $40 million if they backed a proposal for private investment in its tournaments, including the men's and women's World Cups, through a new subsidiary, FFE. FIFA said that during Wednesday's meeting "mistakes" regarding FFE were "acknowledged," but it also stated that "everything that was done was done in full compliance with the FIFA regulatory framework."
However, this show of support followed yet more stinging criticism. Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney, former footballer Luis Figo, and others called for Infantino to resign. Figo said: "Infantino has debased the office that he promised to elevate. It is too late to save his dignity but it is not too late to save football."
Infantino, 56, looks set to fight for re-election for a fourth term. Rivals have until 18 November to put their names forward, with the election to be held at the FIFA Congress in Morocco in March 2027. UEFA continues to oppose him, but it needs global support to oust him.
Source: www.bbc.co.uk