GIANNI INFANTINO UNDER PRESSURE AS FIFA AGREES TO TELEASE SECRET DOCUMENTS FOLLOWING UEFA ULTIMATUM

 

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Gianni Infantino is facing one of the most significant challenges to his leadership as FIFA has finally bowed to pressure from UEFA to release sensitive internal documents. The move follows an intense standoff regarding the collapsed FIFA Forward Enterprise (FFE) project, which sought to sell off stakes in the World Cup to private investors.

UEFA demands transparency on World Cup sell-off

The walls appear to be closing in on FIFA president as the global governing body has officially agreed to open its books to council members. This dramatic shift comes in direct response to an ultimatum issued by UEFA, which had demanded full disclosure regarding the aborted plan to involve private investors in the World Cup.

The European body had set a firm deadline of November 2 for FIFA to provide clarity on its governance and the decision-making processes that led to the controversial FIFA Forward Enterprise (FFE) proposal.

Infantino had previously issued a formal apology for the failed scheme during a recent council meeting, but his refusal to provide a detailed explanation at the time left many member associations dissatisfied. Instead of an open forum, the president had requested that all inquiries be submitted in writing. However, the pressure from Nyon became impossible to ignore, leading to a late-night intervention from the FIFA hierarchy to avoid a total breakdown in relations between the two most powerful organisations in world football.

Strict conditions for document review in Zurich

In a letter sent just hours before the UEFA-imposed deadline, FIFA secretary general Mattias Grafstrom informed council members that the requested paperwork would be made available for scrutiny. However, the offer comes with significant strings attached, as the documents will not be distributed digitally. Instead, officials must travel to FIFA’s headquarters in Zurich to view the files in person under strict confidentiality protocols. Members have been given a two-week window to register their interest in reviewing the material, according to reports from BBC Sport.

FIFA maintains that these restrictive measures are necessary to uphold legal obligations and protect sensitive information. Internal sources suggest that the governing body found UEFA’s demand to answer over 100 questions within a fortnight to be "unfeasible," citing their heavy workload in organising youth tournaments and preparing for an upcoming extraordinary congress. Furthermore, FIFA’s legal team has reportedly advised caution due to ongoing litigation in the United States, where UEFA has sought the disclosure of evidence that could potentially lead to criminal complaints in Switzerland.

Broader governance concerns and election pressure

The dispute over the FFE project is only one aspect of a wider dissatisfaction with Infantino’s current administration. UEFA’s strongly worded letter highlighted a range of grievances, including the controversial decision to award the inaugural FIFA Peace Prize to Donald Trump and the handling of Folarin Balogun's suspension.

\The letter stated: "The withdrawal of FFE, the acknowledgement of mistakes and the announcement of 'potential governance reforms' do not answer how the relevant decisions were taken or why the FIFA Council was not involved at the appropriate stage."

This push for transparency arrives at a critical juncture for Infantino, who is eyeing re-election next year. The November 18 deadline for rival candidates to declare their intentions is fast approaching, and UEFA’s aggressive stance is widely seen as an attempt to weaken the incumbent's position.

I began my journalism career in 2011, initially specializing in investigative reporting. This experience allowed me to explore different fields in depth, develop strong analytical skills, and build a solid foundation in journalism. Eventually, I decided to pursue my first passion: football. I went on to cover the Egyptian national teams across all age groups, while expanding my coverage to include the global game and its biggest stories.

My passion for football began on the pitch, where I played for the youth teams of several Egyptian clubs. That early experience shaped my understanding of the game and fueled my desire to follow football at every level. My journey as a fan of the global game dates back to the 1998 FIFA World Cup, alongside a deep-rooted interest in Egyptian domestic football. However, my connection with the game has never been limited to watching matches on television. I have consistently followed my favorite team, Zamalek, from the stands, experiencing the atmosphere, emotions, and intensity of Egyptian football firsthand. As one of the most successful clubs of the 20th century, Zamalek holds a special place in my football journey.

On the European stage, AC Milan has always been my favorite club, largely because of my admiration for legendary players such as George Weah, Paolo Maldini, Gennaro Gattuso, Kaká, Andrea Pirlo, Ronaldinho, and Clarence Seedorf. My appreciation for these football icons has also made watching historic El Clásico encounters between Real Madrid and Barcelona even more enjoyable, allowing me to appreciate the rivalry without taking sides in the endless debates between their supporters. Among all my football memories, one stands above the rest: AC Milan’s redemption against Liverpool in the 2007 UEFA Champions League final, when Filippo Inzaghi scored a historic brace to secure a memorable victory.

Throughout my career, I have been fortunate to work with two of the Middle East’s leading sports platforms, Kooora and GOAL.com. These experiences have given me extensive knowledge of both Arab and international football, while allowing me to develop my skills across different areas of sports journalism and digital content. In 2022, I was honored to become a member of the Egyptian Journalists Syndicate, marking an important milestone in my professional journey. In January 2026, I took another significant step in my career by transitioning to the English-language edition of GOAL.com, broadening my experience in international football journalism and English-language sports content while continuing to pursue my passion for telling the stories that make football the world's game.

- Mohamed Saeed

GIANNI INFANTINO ISSUES PUBLIC APOLOGY AS FIFA ANNOUNCES MASSIVE $6.35 BILLION INVESTMENT PLAN FOLLOWING WORLD CUP SUCCESS

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Gianni Infantino has issued a direct apology following the FIFA Council meeting in Zurich after the controversial FIFA Forward Enterprise proposal was permanently scrapped. However, record commercial returns from the 2026 World Cup have allowed the governing body to announce a massive financial boost for member associations.

Massive funding package unveiled

FIFA President Infantino issued a public apology following the latest FIFA Council meeting at the Home of FIFA in Zurich. The chief executive addressed past mistakes regarding the controversial FIFA Forward Enterprise (FFE) proposal, which has now been permanently withdrawn.

Despite the governance setback, FIFA presented a landmark financial initiative called the FIFA Surplus Solidarity Programme. Driven by exceptional commercial returns from the 48-team 2026 World Cup, the plan will more than double development funding for the 2027-2030 period.

The total support package will reach $6.35 billion, drawing from an estimated cycle surplus of between $5.2 billion and $5.6 billion. Under the new proposal, allocations per FIFA Member Association will rise to $25 million while maintaining $1.7 billion in hard reserves.

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Infantino addresses the past

The primary focal point of the meeting centred on the withdrawn FFE initiative, which had drawn sharp criticism from key stakeholders in recent months. Infantino took responsibility for how the project was handled and communicated to the global football community.

"As has been said many times since 2016, FIFA’s money, including its reserves, belongs to the 211 FIFA Member Associations, and the proposal to increase investment across all FIFA Member Associations, confederations and other stakeholders to USD 6.35 billion aims to reinforce our unwavering commitment to further supporting football development and access globally thanks to the outstanding financial result of the FIFA World Cup 2026," Infantino stated

"In ten years since I became FIFA President, we have gone from USD 1 million per FIFA Member Association to USD 25 million each – all across the world. At the same time, I would like to thank everyone who has made suggestions over the past few months on the distribution of FIFA’s funds to our 211 FIFA Member Associations as we need to look forward in a spirit of unity and in the best interests of football."

Governance under the microscope

The FIFA Council confirmed that the FFE initiative will not reappear in any form, with externally appointed lawyers updating members on confidential legal proceedings in the United States. A new working group featuring representatives from across the confederations will now examine FIFA's overall governance framework.

To ensure transparency, the distribution of the $6.35 billion funding will align directly with women's football, youth development, long-term projects, and infrastructure. The plan remains subject to final approval mechanisms to ensure strict control and audit standards.

"We held discussions in relation to the FIFA Forward Enterprise project, where everyone had the opportunity to ask questions and express their views," Infantino said.

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Key decisions on horizon

The FIFA administration will now work alongside relevant committees to finalise the eligibility, application, and disbursement rules for the Surplus Solidarity Programme. The full framework will be submitted to the FIFA Council at its next meeting in December 2026.

Several other administrative matters were also progressed during the Zurich summit. The Football Social Responsibility Committee will assess the FIFA Peace Prize, while the Legal Committee conducts a review of disciplinary procedures following Folarin Balogun's suspended ban.

All major proposals, including the expanded funding distribution plan, will ultimately be put forward for formal approval at the 77th FIFA Congress in March 2027.

- Yosua Arya

GIANNI INFANTINO IN FRESH FIFA CONTROVERSY OVER 'SECRET WORLD CUP PAYMENT'

Gianni Infantino allegedly failed to disclose a World Cup payment he received

Gianni Infantino in fresh controversy over 'secret World Cup payment'
Infantino reportedly failed to disclose a World Cup payment

Reuters

Fifa president Gianni Infantino was paid a previously undisclosed $1.72 million World Cup sum, according to Fifa and IRS documents obtained by ESPN.

The report, published on Tuesday, said the absence of transparency surrounding the remuneration is a potential breach of Fifa statutes.

Records from the IRS show Infantino was given the money in 2024 by FWC2026, the US-based organisation established by Fifa to operate the 2026 World Cup held in North America this summer.

This $1.72 million came on top of Infantino's salary and benefits from Fifa for 2024, which totaled around $4.9 million. Per the report, the supplementary payout was omitted from Fifa's 2024 annual report.

According to Fifa's rules, "The individual compensation of the Fifa President, the members of the Council and the Fifa Secretary General shall be made public."

A spokesperson for Fifa told ESPN that the governing body "strongly rejects any suggestion there has been a violation" of the statutes.

A Fifa statement read: "Fifa does not pay a second salary to the Fifa President and complies with all reporting requirements in relation to compensation. The Fifa President's annual compensation, as well as other contractual benefits, are decided by the independent Compensation Sub-Committee.

"Fifa strongly rejects any claims that it has failed to disclose any financial information and has violated Fifa's Statutes. Fifa accounts are independently audited, and all declarations are in line with tax regulations in Switzerland, the United States and elsewhere.

Gianni Infantino in fresh controversy over 'secret World Cup payment'
A Fifa spokesperson reacted to the fresh controversy surrounding Infantino
Reuters

"Fifa is fully focused on the Fifa Council meeting on Thursday and looks forward to discussions with its members to further grow the game following the most successful Fifa World Cup in history."

It is the newest controversy to hit Infantino, 56, who has been in post since 2016. Earlier this year, he faced criticism over a since-abandoned plan to sell a 20 per cent stake in the World Cup to private investors.

Despite the controversy surrounding Infantino, he still intends to stand for re-election as president next March. It was also announced last week that Aleksander Ceferin, who has been a fierce critic of Infantino, is planning to seek a fourth term as Uefa president.

- Sam Brookes

FORMER TOTTENHAM DEFENDER RAMON VEGA ANNOUNCES BID FOR FIFA PRESIDENCY

Former Switzerland international becomes first to announce intention to challenge Gianni Infantino in 2027 election

Former Tottenham Hotspur and Switzerland defender Ramon Vega announced Wednesday his intention to challenge FIFA President Gianni Infantino, who is seeking reelection next year.

"I am standing to reunite the global football family, deliver genuine and lasting reform, modernise FIFA for the 21st Century, restore stability and credibility, and rebuild the trust that our game urgently needs," Vega said in a statement.

"Football does not belong to presidents, confederations or administrators. Football is greater than any position, any individual or any institution," said the 55-year-old.

"It is the people's game and belongs to everyone: the players, coaches, referees, supporters, volunteers, clubs, leagues, associations and communities that give football its life."

Vega accused FIFA's leadership of damaging trust in the governing body and demanded changes to its governance.

"The current leadership has demoralised the game. Weak governance has damaged FIFA's credibility and eroded trust across the global football family," he said. "Football is in the emergency room, on life support. We cannot wait any longer. FIFA needs a new direction and fundamental reform."

Infantino has faced demands to step down following the collapse of a controversial plan involving the sale of a stake in commercial and ticketing rights to FIFA competitions to private investors.

Vega considered running for the FIFA presidency in 2015, telling the BBC at the time that he was weighing a candidacy.

Four years later, he announced plans to challenge Infantino but failed to secure the backing of five FIFA member associations required to appear on the ballot.

Candidates seeking to challenge Infantino in the 2027 election have until Nov. 18 to declare their intention to stand.

Vega earned 23 caps for Switzerland and played for clubs including Tottenham, Celtic and Watford before retiring in 2004. He later pursued a career in finance.

- Halis Sunnetci

UEFA BOSS CEREFIN SAYS TRUST IN WORLD FOOTBALL REMAINS BROKEN AFTER FIFA INVESTMENT ROW

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* Ceferin says collapsed FIFA investment plan shattered unity of world football

* Proposal to sell 20% stake in FIFA commercial rights was dropped in July

* Infantino proposes independent external review of FIFA governance for strategic initiatives

UEFA President Aleksander Ceferin said trust in world football had not been restored following the collapse of FIFA’s controversial private-investment plan, in his first public comments since FIFA President Gianni Infantino offered a review of the governing body’s decision-making.

In a video address to the Portugal Football Summit on Wednesday, Ceferin said unity, transparency and governance that served the wider game were essential to maintaining trust in football.

"Yet not everyone places the game above their own ambitions,” Ceferin said.

"Trust in our sport rests on three pillars: unity, transparency, and governance that serves the many, not the few. In recent times, all three were disregarded by people who had sworn to protect them.

"The project that shattered the unity of world football may be abolished, but the trust it broke has not returned, and repairing it is our work now.”

Ceferin did not name Infantino or FIFA directly, but his comments were an apparent reference to the abandoned proposal to sell a 20% stake in FIFA’s commercial rights, including the World Cup, to private investors.

The plan was dropped in July after fierce opposition from UEFA, the Asian Football Confederation and CONCACAF.

"Football is not for sale,” Ceferin said. "That is the message UEFA has carried for years, and I'm certain this summit will carry it further.”

His intervention came two days after Infantino sought to address the fallout in a letter to the FIFA Council and the presidents of all 211 member associations.

Infantino said he would ask the Council whether it wanted to commission an independent external review of FIFA’s governance framework for major strategic initiatives and proposed consultations with confederations, member associations and other stakeholders on strengthening its decision-making processes.

He said any review could examine the roles of the president, bureau, Council and Congress and ways to improve transparency and accountability.

The letter has so far failed to win over several federations that had criticised Infantino over the investment proposal.

Infantino has said he remains fully committed to leading FIFA and is expected to seek another term at the presidential election in March 2027.

Ceferin said those running the sport needed to remember whom they served.

"The game will remain safe if those who govern it remember whom they govern it for," he said.

- REUTERS/OEIRAS, PORTUGAL

FRENCH FOOTBALL FEDERATION WITHDRAWS SUPPORT FOR FIFA CHIEF INFANTINO

France joins Sweden, Scotland, Italy, Belgium in withdrawing backing for Infantino's bid for another term

İSTANBUL

The French Football Federation (FFF) has withdrawn its support for FIFA President Gianni Infantino's bid for another term, French broadcaster Franceinfo reported Thursday.

The decision was announced following an FFF executive committee meeting on Thursday.

Infantino is currently the only declared candidate for the FIFA presidency ahead of the election scheduled for March 18 in Rabat, Morocco.

Potential challengers have until Nov. 18 to enter the race.

France's decision follows similar moves by several other national football federations, including those of Sweden, Scotland, Italy and Belgium, which have also withdrawn their support for Infantino.

Infantino has faced growing criticism since the 2026 World Cup, with disputes over his leadership contributing to divisions within world football.

One of the most controversial issues was a FIFA proposal to create a commercial company that would allow private investors to acquire a 20% stake in the management of World Cup commercial rights.

The proposal was developed without consultation with FIFA's member associations and drew strong opposition before Infantino abandoned it several days later.

Despite the withdrawals, Infantino remains the only declared candidate for the March election.

- Şeyma Erkul Dayanç

UNDER-FIRE FIFA BOSS GIANNI INFANTINO TO SEEK RE-ELECTION DESPITE CALLS TO RESIGN

Gianni Infantino was first elected FIFA president in 2016. © Fabrice COFFRINI / AFP/File

FIFA President Gianni Infantino plans to seek his fourth and final term in next year’s election, despite the outrage sparked by his now-shelved plan to sell stakes in the World Cup to private investors. “Nothing has changed,” a spokesman for football’s governing body confirmed on Sunday, referring to an announcement Infantino made back in April.

Gianni Infantino will stand in next March's FIFA presidential election, despite the backlash over his now-abandoned plan to bring private investment into the World Cup, football's global governing body announced Sunday.

"The FIFA President announced in April that he will stand for re-election in 2027," a FIFA spokesperson said. "Of course, nothing has changed. Mr Infantino will be standing for re-election."

The 56-year-old Swiss has taken a pummelling since the announcement in late July of his short-lived FIFA Forward Enterprise (FFE) plan to bring private investment into FIFA events.

But now for the first time since the plan became public, FIFA has reiterated Infantino's intention to run for a fourth and final term in next year's elections.

Should he be re-elected, he will continue to serve as head of world football until 2031.

Infantino is in Poland for the Women's Under-20 World Cup, but refused to answer queries about his future when questioned by journalists on Saturday.

Only candidate

European body UEFA has accused Infantino of "criminal mismanagement" over the scheme and was the ringleader of the initial fightback to the announcement, including threatening to boycott all FIFA competitions, including the men's and women's World Cups, if it was not shelved.

If UEFA withdrew its threat to boycott FIFA tournaments on August 27 – ahead of the Women's Under-20 World Cup in Poland – it remains absolute in its conviction that Infantino must depart his role.

The European body has filed requests in the USA for the disclosure of documents related to the plan from FIFA and partners.

If successful in gaining access to the documents, UEFA had said it intends to lodge a legal complaint in Switzerland, saying it has been assured the case would meet the requirements to be heard in a Swiss court.

It has also found solid support from North American body CONCACAF and the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) in its actions against Infantino.

The three confederations have kept up the pressure and collaborated on a no-holds-barred joint letter issued last month.

"Leadership in football is not a possession. It is not about holding – or demanding – power to be held," they wrote.

CONCACAF president Victor Montagliani is widely seen as the likeliest challenger to Infantino – UEFA boss Aleksander Ceferin has ruled himself out.

Montagliani, a FIFA vice-president, had long been regarded as a close ally of Infantino, but there were signs, even before he distanced himself over the now-scrapped plan to allow private investment into World Cups, that he viewed FIFA's purpose somewhat differently to the Swiss.

But Infantino is not without friends – 2034 World Cup hosts Saudi Arabia came out in support last month, with African football's governing body CAF and South America's CONMEBOL supportive, too.

Earlier in September, FIFA also accused UEFA of a "smear campaign" and a "fishing expedition" against Infantino.

As the only declared candidate so far for the election due to take place in Rabat, Infantino will need a simple majority of votes from the 211 federations affiliated to FIFA to extend his term of office, which began in 2016 and was renewed in 2023.

Candidate nominations for next year's election must be submitted by November 18.

- FRANCE 24 with AFP

FIFA HITS BACK AT UEFA OVER 'SMEAR CAMPAIGN' AGAINST INFANTINO

Gianni Infantino remains under pressure as FIFA boss

Gianni Infantino became Fifa president in 2016
AFP

Dubai: FIFA has accused UEFA of a “smear campaign” against the organisation and Gianni Infantino, intensifying their dispute over a scrapped plan to sell a stake in FIFA’s commercial rights.

UEFA last week filed an emergency application in a New York federal court seeking access to testimony and documents from US-based organisations that could be used in potential criminal proceedings in Switzerland.

"While these applications are styled as legal pleadings with captions and docket numbers, they are little more than press releases in further support of UEFA's smear campaign against FIFA and its leadership," FIFA said in the filing.

UEFA said it was weighing criminal action against Infantino and other FIFA officials over FIFA Forward Enterprise (FFE), a proposed company that would have controlled commercial rights associated with the men’s and women’s World Cups.

The governing body of football in Europe alleged the proposal was developed without adequate consultation with FIFA's governing bodies and 211 member associations.

In a motion to intervene FIFA asked the court to defer ruling on UEFA's application or allow it to oppose the request.

FIFA claimed UEFA was seeking access to information for “purportedly contemplated” Swiss criminal proceedings that, it argued, did not actually exist. It also accused UEFA of opposing the FFE proposal from the very beginning.

The proposal was ultimately withdrawn on July 31 following resistance from UEFA and several other regional football governing bodies.

"Rather than participate in that democratic process, UEFA issued a press release, the beginning of a weeks-long smear campaign against FIFA and its leadership," FIFA said in the filing.

FIFA also claimed UEFA was seeking to protect Europe’s dominance of football.

Infantino, who continues to enjoy backing from the African and South American confederations, has increasingly looked to bypass the confederations and build support directly among individual member associations.

In a statement last week, UEFA said it would work alongside other confederations to provide member associations with a “credible alternative” focused on reform should Infantino decide to seek another term as FIFA president.

UEFA has also temporarily put its proposed boycott of FIFA competitions on hold, allowing all qualified teams to take part in next month’s Under-20 Women’s World Cup in Poland. The tournament was the first major event that could have been impacted by the dispute.

However, UEFA said its members had unanimously instructed the confederation to explore “every available institutional, political and legal avenue” to push through reforms and re-establish limits on the powers of the FIFA president.

The governing body also demanded “a genuinely independent external review” into the failed FIFA proposal, arguing that FIFA should not be responsible for investigating itself and then expect the wider football community to accept its findings.

- Robert Ilsley

UEFA INTENDS TO LODGE CRIMINAL COMPLAINT AGAINST FIFA PRESIDENT GIANNI INFANTINO

GIanni Infantino has been under severe pressure since his abandoned private equity scheme

UEFA has asked a US federal court for permission to obtain ⁠testimony and documents from FIFA entities in Florida for use in a planned criminal complaint in Switzerland against FIFA President Gianni Infantino, according to a court filing.

In an ex parte application filed under US law, European soccer's governing body said ‌it is ⁠considering criminal proceedings against Infantino and potentially other FIFA officials and advisers over a now-abandoned plan to transfer commercial rights linked to men's and women's World Cups and the ‌Club World Cup into a new subsidiary called FIFA Forward Enterprise (FFE).

UEFA ⁠alleges Infantino developed the proposal in secret ‌with a small group of advisers and investors, ⁠bypassing ‌FIFA's normal governance processes and failing to consult FIFA's Council, regional confederations or member associations.

The filing asks a US ⁠court to authorise discovery from FIFA (AMERICAS), Inc. and FWC2026 ⁠US, Inc., two Florida-based FIFA entities.

UEFA said the organisations may possess documents and witnesses relevant to how the FFE transaction was conceived, structured, valued and approved.

In a 56-page document filed in the Southern District of New York on Thursday, UEFA said: "UEFA and other interested parties are preparing to bring criminal claims in Switzerland against Infantino and possibly other FIFA officials and advisors for criminal mismanagement … arising out of the secretive structuring, valuation, financing, and marketing" of FIFA Forward Enterprise.

The filing of the document in New York came after reports on Wednesday that it has now received guarantees there will be no repeat of FIFA's controversial private investor plan.

This was the second condition UEFA wanted to be met for European teams to withdraw their threat of a boycott from FIFA tournaments.

The first was the scrapping of the original plan, which happened on 1 August.

Additional reporting: PA

- RTÉ

INFANTINO DEFIES FIFA VICE PRESIDENT'S REQUEST TO STAY AWAY FROM CARIBBEAN YOUTH TOURNAMENT

FIFA president Gianni Infantino made a rare public appearance in the Caribbean despite a request from vice president Victor Montagliani to abstain as pressure mounts over his failed plan to sell future World Cup profits to private investors.

File photo: FIFA president Gianni Infantino is seen prior to the World Cup semifinal soccer match between France and Spain in Arlington, Texas, near Dallas, Tuesday, July 14, 2026. © Eric Gay, AP

Gianni Infantino defied a request by one of his FIFA vice presidents to stay away from an Under-14 soccer event in the Caribbean and instead made a rare public appearance during the global furor over his failed plan to sell future World Cup profits to private investors.

On Saturday, Infantino posted photos on his Instagram account showing the FIFA president meeting political and soccer officials from the Dominican Republic on the sidelines of a Caribbean Football Union (CFU) youth tournament in the Punta Cana resort.

On Friday, Infantino had been asked not to go by Victor Montagliani, the Canadian president of Miami-based continental soccer body CONCACAF, to avoid being a distraction from the soccer games.

“I believe that considering the governance crisis surrounding FIFA as a result of your controversial FIFA Forward Enterprise proposal, the media will focus on this situation,” Montagliani wrote in an emailed letter seen by The Associated Press, “which will unfortunately significantly take away from the technical nature of the CFU youth competition.”

“As such, I respectfully ask you in the name of football to reconsider your attendance as it will unfortunately undermine the technical nature of this important youth development activity,” Montagliani wrote.

FIFA declined to comment on the Montagliani request, though noted it directly funds regional bodies like the CFU with up to $5 million from each four-year World Cup cycle.

Montagliani has aligned with fellow FIFA vice presidents Aleksander Ceferin from European body UEFA and Asian Football Confederation president Sheik Salman bin Ebrahim Al Khalifa in seeking to end Infantino’s increasingly executive presidency now in its 11th year.

They accused Infantino two weeks ago of “deception” in secretly planning over the past year to spin off FIFA’s multi-billion dollar commercial activities to a subsidiary 20% owned by investors led by Joshua Kushner.

FIFA declined to comment on the Montagliani request, though noted it directly funds regional bodies like the CFU with up to $5 million from each four-year World Cup cycle.

Montagliani has aligned with fellow FIFA vice presidents Aleksander Ceferin from European body UEFA and Asian Football Confederation president Sheik Salman bin Ebrahim Al Khalifa in seeking to end Infantino’s increasingly executive presidency now in its 11th year.

They accused Infantino two weeks ago of “deception” in secretly planning over the past year to spin off FIFA’s multi-billion dollar commercial activities to a subsidiary 20% owned by investors led by Joshua Kushner.

Infantino withdrew the project on Aug. 1 amid a global backlash by soccer leaders and fans, and hours after his own chief operating officer published stinging criticism of the proposal and his leadership style in a statement to the AP. The Zurich-based COO, Kevin Lamour, was fired this week.

Caribbean member federations are seen as potential supporters for Infantino to peel away from their CONCACAF leadership. South American body CONMEBOL has backed Infantino as its best path to hosting more games at the 2030 World Cup it wants expanded from 48 teams to 64.

The FIFA leader has not taken questions publicly since the $20 billion FFE project was revealed July 28 by British daily The Times, and on Friday in Punta Cana he evaded a reporter from British broadcaster Sky News.

Asked by Sky reporter James Matthews if he had betrayed the sport and should resign, Infantino said “Thank you so much” and made quips about both men being bald.

Infantino is aiming to be re-elected for a fourth and final term in office through 2031 at the FIFA election congress next March in Rabat, Morocco. FIFA has set Nov. 18 as a deadline for would-be candidates to enter the race.

- FRANCE 24 with AP

COO WHO CRITISIZED GIANNI INFANTINO PLAN OUT AT FIFA

 

July 19, 2026; East Rutherford, New Jersey, U.S.; U.S. President Donald Trump (left) and FIFA President Gianni Infantino during the trophy presentation following the FIFA World Cup Final at New York New Jersey Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images

Kevin Lamour has departed his role as chief operating officer of FIFA weeks after he sharply criticized president Gianni Infantino's plan to sell stakes in the World Cup to private investors.

FIFA confirmed Lamour's exit in a statement to multiple media outlets, saying, "FIFA can confirm that the working relationship between FIFA and Kevin Lamour as FIFA's Chief Operating Officer has ended on 17 August 2026.

"FIFA thanks Kevin for his two years of service and wishes him the best of luck for the future. No further comment will be made on the matter."

Further details were scarce; the Guardian described Lamour's departure as a sacking, and the United Kingdom's Press Association called it a dismissal. Multiple reports said FIFA staff were notified of Lamour's departure from the organization via an email from secretary general Mattias Grafstrom.

Lamour was among the highest-ranking figures in world football to speak out against Infantino's widely unpopular plan to involve private equity in the World Cup. He called it "the project of one person" in a July interview with the Associated Press, saying he and other staff felt deceived.

"Not only must this project not go ahead ... but the time has now come for football political leaders to ask themselves the right questions and make the right decisions," Lamour said at the time, before going on to imply that he knew his job may be at risk.

"If that means I lose my job, then so be it," Lamour said. "I will understand and respect that decision. At least I'll sleep well tonight."

A French and Swiss citizen, Lamour came to FIFA in November 2024 after serving as the deputy general secretary of UEFA, European football's continental governing body.

Shortly after the conclusion of the 2026 World Cup, Infantino announced his intention to consolidate the World Cup's commercial rights -- encompassing broadcast, sponsorship, ticketing and licensing -- under a new commercial venture and to sell stakes in that venture to private equity. He pitched the potential to raise billions of dollars that could be reinvested in the game.

That didn't soften what many saw as an attempt to hand minority ownership in the world's biggest tournament to private investors with their own aims.

UEFA, CONCACAF and the AFC (Asian Football Confederation) unanimously opposed the plan, with UEFA going as far as to promise a boycott of World Cups and other FIFA tournaments should it go through.

Carlos Cordeiro, a former president of U.S. Soccer (2018-20), resigned as Infantino's senior adviser the day FIFA ultimately backed down from the FFE idea.

"If Member Associations believe additional investment is needed to develop the game, FIFA already has the financial capacity to provide that support from its existing resources," Cordeiro said then. "Against that backdrop, selling a permanent stake in football's most valuable asset to raise $4.2 billion makes little sense. It is mortgaging football's future without any compelling justification."

Infantino now faces an uncertain future in FIFA's top office. Scotland's football association was the latest to declare it would not support Infantino in the next presidential election.

--Field Level Media

SCOTTISH FA WITHDRAWS SUPPORT FOR FIFA PRESIDENT GIANNI INFANTINO

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The Scottish Football Association has lost confidence in Gianni Infantino and will not be voting for his re-election as president of Fifa, chief executive Ian Maxwell has told BBC Sport.

Infantino is under increasing pressure over his attempt, later abandoned, to create a new company to manage the commercial and ticketing rights of all Fifa competitions, including the World Cups, with 21% to be sold off to a private investment company.

Fifa Forward Enterprise (FFE) was aborted after widespread criticism from several confederations, led by Uefa, which has threatened a boycott of all Fifa competitions.

"The position of the SFA has been clear since the 55 Uefa associations met," said Maxwell, speaking as he announced Belgian Sebastian Pocognoli as the new Scotland head coach.

"We have aligned ourselves with the Uefa position and 55 nations are stronger than one voice.

"Their statement since then has talked about a lack of confidence in the Fifa leadership and the Scottish FA agree completely with that decision.

"The SFA will not be voting for Gianni Infantino come the re-election in early 2027."

Maxwell rejected the suggestion that the SFA had previously failed to publicly state it no longer supported Infantino because its president, Mike Mulraney, heads up the Fifa finance committee.

The Football Associations of England, Wales and the Republic of Ireland have already declared they have withdrawn support for Infantino, who is scheduled to stand for a fourth term as president in March.

'A profound lack of judgement'

Last week, Fifa and Infantino were accused of breaking trust "through deception", in an open letter issued by Uefa, Concacaf and the Asian Football Confederation.

The letter, signed by the presidents and general secretaries of the three regional governing bodies, said recent controversy over the FFE proposal was fundamentally about "the integrity of the game, and the integrity of those elected to lead it".

While the statement did not name Infantino, sources have told BBC Sport that it should be seen as an opportunity for him to resign and leave his position with dignity.

Fifa has committed to presenting a report on FFE to the next meeting of the Fifa council, which is expected to take place in October.

The three confederations said this failed to "recognise that proper governance in the face of such a profound lack of judgement would require that such a review be conducted by a fully independent third party".

It also underlined a legal warning made by Uefa that Fifa should not delete or destroy any documents related to the abandoned plans.

BBC Sport understands that there have been preliminary discussions between the three confederations over breakaway competitions, should Infantino remain in situ. However, substantive talks are yet to begin, according to others.

At present there is no candidate who has put their name forward to stand against Infantino, before a 18 November deadline.

Very difficult to predict who has the upper hand

The football world appears to have been split down the middle by the issue, with the confederations of Africa, South American and Oceania having backed Infantino.

But even within confederations, there is disagreement and it makes it very difficult to predict whether Infantino or his opponents have the upper hand in this battle.

In Oceania, which has 11 member associations, New Zealand has said it will not follow the confederation and vote for him.

Mexico, Grenada and St Kitts and Nevis have broken away from the other 32 Concacaf nations to support the Fifa president.

Of the 46 Asian confederations members, so far eight countries have split to champion Infantino's cause - the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Sri Lanka, Lebanon, Kuwait, Mongolia, the Philippines and Bhutan.

The Fifa Council, on which there are 36 confederation and national association heads plus Infantino, seems similarly split.

It raises questions about whether Infantino has the political power to govern Fifa, even if he wins an election of the 211 member associations.

The first test of Uefa's threat is just over three weeks away, when the Fifa Under-20 Women's World Cup is set to kick off. It is being hosted by Poland and features five other European nations, including England.

- Dale Johnson and Chris McLaughlin

JP MORGAN BANKER WHO LED INFANTINO’S FIFA SELL-OFF HAS EPSTEIN TIES EXPOSED

Emails sent to paedophile financier include birthday greetings four years after his conviction of procuring a minor for prostitution

Mary Erdoes led the efforts to find investors for Gianni Infantino’s Fifa sell-off plan Credit: Simon Dawson/Bloomberg

The JP Morgan Chase banker who was one of the secret figures behind the Fifa sell-off plan is also under pressure for her links to the late paedophile and financier Jeffrey Epstein.

Mary Erdoes, 58, the head of the asset and wealth management division, led the bank’s efforts to find investors prepared to take part of the 20 per cent stake in Fifa which its president Gianni Infantino sought to sell.

Erdoes has also come under scrutiny for her previous longstanding connection to Epstein, who died in 2019. Documents released by the US authorities indicate that Erdoes only ended JP Morgan’s relationship with Epstein in 2013, five years after he was convicted in Florida of procuring a minor for prostitution.

Emails exchanged between the pair, first reported by The Banker financial news site, suggest that they were in contact regarding banking. Erdoes emailed Epstein birthday greetings from her JP Morgan account in 2012. The pair were in indirect contact via staff about the banking arrangements for another associate of Epstein, Kathryn Ruemmler, the former Goldman Sachs executive.

Kathryn Ruemmler (centre) former chief legal officer of Goldman Sachs, has also been linked to Jeffrey Epstein Credit: Al Drago/Reuters

Erdoes is, according to the New York Times, understood to be one of the few individuals who knew about Infantino’s plans as they were formulated. Those involved selling a 20 per cent stake in Fifa at a value of $4.2bn (£3.1bn) to investors led by Joshua Kushner – the brother of US president Donald Trump’s son-in-law, Jared Kushner – and others. Infantino did not reveal the plan to his closest staff until days before the World Cup final.

Joshua Kushner’s investment vehicle, Thrive Eternal, and Fifa planned to use JP Morgan to find fellow investors for the putative sale, which was subsequently abandoned by Infantino. The Fifa Forward Enterprise (FFE) project caused uproar in world football and has left Infantino fighting for his future as Fifa president. The European governing body, Uefa, as well as counterparts in Asia and North and Central America have threatened to break away.

Erdoes, the bank’s second-highest earner last year on $32m (£24m), has not commented on her links to Infantino. The connection between the pair is not clear, although Infantino has been on stage with Erdoes when he spoke at a staff meeting at the bank.

Erdoes, the bank’s second-highest earner last year on $32m (£24m), has not commented on her links to Infantino. The connection between the pair is not clear, although Infantino has been on stage with Erdoes when he spoke at a staff meeting at the bank.

Previously JP Morgan apologised for its role in financing the 2021 European Super League. It is yet to make any comment on its role in FFE, or the relationship between Erdoes, the bank and Infantino.

Erdoes (right) and Infantino appeared together after he attended JP Morgan’s town hall Credit: Mary Erdoes on LinkedIn

In terms of Erdoes’s dealings with Epstein, JP Morgan told The Banker: “We regret any association we had with the man [Epstein], but did not help him commit his heinous crimes.

“The firm filed multiple Suspicious Activity Reports beginning in 2002 but heard nothing back from the government.

“Mary Erdoes made the decision to close his accounts in 2013, six years before his arrest. Mary has always held herself and her colleagues to the highest standards of integrity and trust, is consistently recognised as one of the top executives in financial services and continues to be a critically important leader of our firm.”



JP Morgan banker who led Infantino’s Fifa sell-off has Epstein ties exposed

Emails sent to paedophile financier include birthday greetings four years after his conviction of procuring a minor for prostitution



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Mary Erdoes led the efforts to find investors for Gianni Infantino’s Fifa sell-off plan Credit: Simon Dawson/Bloomberg

Sam Wallace

Chief Football Writer

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Published 10 August 2026 7:10pm BST

The JP Morgan Chase banker who was one of the secret figures behind the Fifa sell-off plan is also under pressure for her links to the late paedophile and financier Jeffrey Epstein.

Mary Erdoes, 58, the head of the asset and wealth management division, led the bank’s efforts to find investors prepared to take part of the 20 per cent stake in Fifa which its president Gianni Infantino sought to sell.

Erdoes has also come under scrutiny for her previous longstanding connection to Epstein, who died in 2019. Documents released by the US authorities indicate that Erdoes only ended JP Morgan’s relationship with Epstein in 2013, five years after he was convicted in Florida of procuring a minor for prostitution.

Emails exchanged between the pair, first reported by The Banker financial news site, suggest that they were in contact regarding banking. Erdoes emailed Epstein birthday greetings from her JP Morgan account in 2012. The pair were in indirect contact via staff about the banking arrangements for another associate of Epstein, Kathryn Ruemmler, the former Goldman Sachs executive.

Kathryn Ruemmler (centre) former chief legal officer of Goldman Sachs, has also been linked to Jeffrey Epstein Credit: Al Drago/Reuters

Erdoes is, according to the New York Times, understood to be one of the few individuals who knew about Infantino’s plans as they were formulated. Those involved selling a 20 per cent stake in Fifa at a value of $4.2bn (£3.1bn) to investors led by Joshua Kushner – the brother of US president Donald Trump’s son-in-law, Jared Kushner – and others. Infantino did not reveal the plan to his closest staff until days before the World Cup final.

Joshua Kushner’s investment vehicle, Thrive Eternal, and Fifa planned to use JP Morgan to find fellow investors for the putative sale, which was subsequently abandoned by Infantino. The Fifa Forward Enterprise (FFE) project caused uproar in world football and has left Infantino fighting for his future as Fifa president. The European governing body, Uefa, as well as counterparts in Asia and North and Central America have threatened to break away.

Erdoes, the bank’s second-highest earner last year on $32m (£24m), has not commented on her links to Infantino. The connection between the pair is not clear, although Infantino has been on stage with Erdoes when he spoke at a staff meeting at the bank.

Previously JP Morgan apologised for its role in financing the 2021 European Super League. It is yet to make any comment on its role in FFE, or the relationship between Erdoes, the bank and Infantino.

Erdoes (right) and Infantino appeared together after he attended JP Morgan’s town hall Credit: Mary Erdoes on LinkedIn

In terms of Erdoes’s dealings with Epstein, JP Morgan told The Banker: “We regret any association we had with the man [Epstein], but did not help him commit his heinous crimes.

“The firm filed multiple Suspicious Activity Reports beginning in 2002 but heard nothing back from the government.

“Mary Erdoes made the decision to close his accounts in 2013, six years before his arrest. Mary has always held herself and her colleagues to the highest standards of integrity and trust, is consistently recognised as one of the top executives in financial services and continues to be a critically important leader of our firm.”

Meanwhile, Fifa will face a further embarrassing episode on Wednesday when Omar Artan – the Somali referee refused entry to the United States for the World Cup – will take charge of Uefa’s curtain-raising Super Cup.

Artan has spoken about the “very tough period” he faced when denied entry to the US at Miami International Airport in June, before what should have been the highlight of his career.

Tensions were already high between Fifa and Uefa before the start of the World Cup, in which Infantino attracted further scrutiny for his role in the decision to suspend the two-match ban given to United States striker Folarin Balogun. In what was a thinly veiled move to humiliate the global governing body, Artan was named the match referee for Wednesday’s Super Cup in Salzburg between Aston Villa and Paris St-Germain.

Omar Artan was denied entry into the US before the World Cup, as Somalia is on the country’s travel ban list Credit: Hassan Ali Elmi/Getty Images

Artan said on Monday: “It was a very tough period. A lot of people have sympathy for me, because when someone has been working a lot of years and is supposed to do something, and then can’t do it, it’s very challenging.

“I really appreciate the support I received throughout the world, though; I’m so grateful.”

Artan, 34, was subjected to an 11-hour immigration interview before he was denied entry to the US. Somalia is one of the 12 countries on the United States travel-ban list. Infantino later admitted publicly that he was powerless to overrule the ruling from Donald Trump’s administration.

The Fifa president told critics at a press conference before the World Cup to “chill and relax” about the controversy, and added: “We work on everything, we try to resolve everything, [but] immediately screaming and shouting, that’s the opposite of finding a solution.”

Aleksander Ceferin, the Uefa president, reacted by appointing Artan for the Super Cup, where he will become the first African official to take charge of the European season opener.

Artan added: “When we got this call it was, for me and my family, really a very, very happy moment. There’s a big Somali community in Europe and in Austria, and they are over the moon with me officiating a match like this.”

- Sam Wallace

FIFA PRESIDENT GIANNI INFANTINO ACCUSED OF 'DECEPTION' AS UEFA, CONCACAF, AND AFC LAUNCH SENSATIONAL JOINT ATTACK

 

Getty

FIFA president Gianni Infantino is facing the most significant threat to his leadership yet after three of the world’s most powerful football confederations launched a scathing joint attack. In a move that has sent shockwaves through the global game, UEFA, CONCACAF, and the AFC have officially accused the governing body of "deception" following the fallout of a plan to sell off commercial rights to the World Cup.

Infantino accused of abandoning duty

The civil war at the heart of world football has reached a boiling point as UEFA, CONCACAF, and the AFC issued a searing open letter directed at Infantino. The document, signed by the presidents and general secretaries of the three continental bodies, pulls no punches in its assessment of the current FIFA administration.

In a direct shot at Infantino’s personal conduct, the three confederations suggest that Infantino has prioritised personal power over the collective interests of the member associations, stating: "When trust is broken through deception, when an individual places himself above the collective that entrusted him with authority, that duty has been abandoned."

It continued: "Leadership in football is not a possession. It is not about holding - or demanding - power to be held. It is a duty of service to the football family that entrusts it."

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The FFE controversy

The root of the anger lies in what letter described as a "profound failure of judgement" regarding the FFE project. They specifically criticised Infantino's conduct during a meeting in Rabat, Morocco, where he allegedly shut out FIFA Council members and member associations, choosing instead to summon only senior staff employed directly by FIFA.

The letter also makes it clear that FIFA’s recent admissions of procedural mistakes regarding the FFE process do not go nearly far enough to repair the damage done. The letter added: "It did not acknowledge that the proposal itself was inherently wrong. There remains no recognition that attempting to sell an interest in the FIFA World Cup was a profound failure of judgement.

"Not just a procedural misstep, but a fundamental breach of trust with the very institutions FIFA exists to serve."

Despite FIFA committing to a report for the next Council meeting in October, the three confederations are demanding a much more rigorous and transparent investigation. They argue that the current internal review lacks the necessary independence to be credible. Their letter adds: "There is silence where there should be accountability, distance where there should be openness." The tension has reached a point where legal warnings have been issue, with UEFA explicitly warned FIFA that it must not delete or destroy any documents related to the abandoned plans for the private investment deal.

The threat of breakaway competitions

Perhaps the most significant development is the looming threat of a total fracture in the global football landscape. According to Telegraph, preliminary discussions have already taken place between UEFA, CONCACAF, and the AFC regarding the creation of breakaway competitions should Infantino remain in his post. While the parties have not yet provided specific details on what these tournaments would look like or when they might begin, the mere mention of such a move serves as a nuclear option in their standoff with FIFA.

UEFA has been the most vocal in its opposition, previously threatening a boycott of all FIFA competitions. Despite FIFA's attempts to defend Infantino's record, the European governing body insists that these defences "change nothing" regarding their potential refusal to participate in future World Cups or other FIFA-sanctioned events.

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A divided house and upcoming tests

However, despite the strength of the joint letter, the opposition to Infantino is not entirely unanimous within the confederations themselves. While the leadership of CONCACAF and the AFC have signed the letter, several of their member nations have already publicly declared their support for the current FIFA president. In North America, Mexico has come out in support of Infantino, while in Asia, eight countries, including the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Sri Lanka, Lebanon, Kuwait, Mongolia, the Philippines, and Bhutan, have officially backed him.

The first true test of this brewing rebellion is less than a month away. The FIFA Under-20 Women’s World Cup is scheduled to begin in Poland, featuring five European nations, including England. While UEFA has floated the idea of a boycott, the implementation remains a logistical and political minefield. France has already indicated that they still plan to compete in the tournament, as per BBC, highlighting the potential for cracks in the unified front.

- Muhammad Zaki

FIFA PRESIDENT GIANNI INFANTINO DENIES CLAIMS OF UEFA PAYING OFF HIS ALLEGED LOVER: 'CATEGORICALLY UNTRUE'

An investigation alleged that UEFA made a severance payment to a woman who was reportedly involved in a relationship with Gianni Infantino

FIFA president Gianni Infantino is facing renewed scrutiny after an investigation alleged that UEFA made a severance payment to a woman who was reportedly involved in a relationship with him while he was the organisation's general secretary. The claims, reported by The Daily Telegraph, have emerged at a particularly difficult time for Infantino, who is already facing criticism over his recently abandoned proposal to bring private investment into FIFA's commercial operations.

Troubles continue to mount for FIFA President Gianni Infantino. (AP Photo/Santiago Saldarriaga)

However, Infantino has strongly rejected the allegations. A spokesperson for the FIFA president told The Telegraph that the claims were "categorically untrue" and denied any suggestion of inappropriate conduct or a breach of regulations.

"FIFA president Gianni Infantino strongly denies these allegations, and they are categorically untrue. Any insinuation of inappropriate conduct or violation of statutes or regulations is defamatory," a FIFA spokesman told the Telegraph.

“No employee at UEFA and FIFA has ever raised a complaint regarding Mr Infantino's behaviour because there never was an incident where he was involved,” the spokesperson added.

UEFA, however, confirmed that a payment had been made to the woman referred to in the report. The European governing body said the payment was connected to her departure from the organisation and included costs associated with completing an MBA programme at a local business school.

According to UEFA, the payment complied with the regulations that were in place at the time. The organisation added that its rules have since been strengthened and now reflect the standards expected of a modern, high-profile institution.

Infantino worked at UEFA from 2000 and rose to the position of general secretary in 2009. He held the role until 2016, when he was elected FIFA president following the departure of Sepp Blatter.

More allegations

The latest allegations come as Infantino attempts to navigate an increasingly turbulent period at the top of world football. His proposal to establish a major commercial entity involving private investment in FIFA's competitions triggered opposition from several football bodies and raised questions about the organisation's future direction.

The plan, which reportedly involved opening a substantial stake in FIFA's commercial arm to private investors, was eventually shelved amid significant criticism. Infantino subsequently acknowledged that mistakes had been made in the handling of the proposal, but he has remained in office.

Senior FIFA figures backed the president at a meeting in Morocco earlier this week, despite mounting calls for him to consider his position.

The controversy surrounding the investment proposal has also caused tension with European football authorities. Some European associations have threatened to boycott FIFA events, arguing that concerns surrounding the wider issue have not been fully addressed, even after the investment plan was withdrawn.

Infantino, meanwhile, continues to retain support in other parts of the football world. South America's CONMEBOL and the Confederation of African Football have backed him, while the football associations of Mexico, one of the 2026 World Cup's co-hosts, and Argentina have also expressed support.

- Vishesh Roy

MARK CARNEY SLAMS GIANNI INFANTINO, SAYS HE HAS NO CONFIDENCE IN FIFA PRESIDENT

World soccer boss made 'fatal' error in trying to quietly sell off stake in future World Cup tournaments: PM

Prime Minister Mark Carney and FIFA president Gianni Infantino look at the new 2026 FIFA World Cup coins during a trophy tour at the Aberdeen Pavilion at Lansdowne Park in Ottawa on Sunday, May 24, 2026. PHOTO BY HYUNGCHEOL PARK /Postmedia Network

Add Prime Minister Mark Carney to the list of people who have lost faith in embattled FIFA president Gianni Infantino.

The Liberal leader made the comments during a news conference in Toronto on Wednesday, telling reporters that Infantino made a “fatal” error in trying to quietly sell off a stake in future World Cup tournaments to private investors that included the Kushner family.

“I’ve run a few organizations in my time,” Carney said weeks after Canada co-hosted the World Cup with the U.S. and Mexico. “The idea that proper governance is not to disclose to your closest advisers, your chief operating officer, your fellow board members, something of consequence that you’re even considering — let alone proposing — that’s fatal, should be fatal and you lose confidence in that individual.

“They (FIFA) have their own procedures for making those determinations, but certainly I don’t have confidence in Mr. Infantino after this point given what transpired and given the nature of what transpired.”

‘Offensive’ investment plan sparks backlash

Carney’s comments referred to the ongoing backlash over Infantino’s now-scrapped FIFA Forward Enterprise proposal, which was made public last week with a plan to create a commercial subsidiary to run events such as the World Cup and Club World Cup tournaments.

The proposal was based on the premise that FIFA could raise more than $4 billion by selling off a 20% stake in the enterprise based on a valuation of $20 billion with Thrive Eternal – a subsidiary of Thrive Capital, which is owned by the brother of Donald Trump’s son-in-law Jared Kushner – expected to spearhead private investment.

FIFA received immediate backlash over the proposal with soccer governing bodies and world leaders among those expressing their displeasure. UEFA, Europe’s powerful soccer governing body, vowed to boycott future events and member nations also threatened to pull their support for Infantino, who is seeking a fourth and final term as president in 2027.

Even after FIFA discarded the plan, British Prime Minister Andy Burnham said on Monday that Infantino was not the “right man to lead football forward on the world stage.

“The plan that was put forward was offensive to many people, football people around the world, and it can’t be the case that we just move on and forget that,” Burnham said.

‘Full support’ for Infantino at FIFA meetings?

Despite the backlash, FIFA issued a statement on Wednesday saying secretary general Mattias Grafstrom and members of the management board attending meetings in Rabat, Morocco, had expressed “full support” for Infantino’s leadership.

The reference to Grafstrom was notable as an internal email sent by him to FIFA staff seemed to distance himself from Infantino, AFP reported, while calling the FFE fiasco a “sad and reproachable series of events.”

The statement from FIFA said the FFE proposal was discussed at the meetings, mistakes “were acknowledged” and apologized for and a commitment was made to “ensure they do not happen again.

“It was agreed that it was not the intention for the FIFA council and FIFA member associations to feel excluded from the process and that the process should have been handled differently,” the statement said, vowing a review of the events. “It was further acknowledged that errors were also made after the proposal was leaked to media.”

There was no mention, however, of a report from The Athletic that said U.S. World Cup host cities were chasing FIFA for alleged “legacy” payments of $1 million that had been promised to them privately in addition to similar benefits paid out from the 2025 Club World Cup.

The U.S. cities that hosted matches this year included Atlanta, Boston, Dallas, Houston, Kansas City, Los Angeles, Miami, New York/New Jersey, Philadelphia, the San Francisco Bay Area and Seattle.

Toronto and Vancouver also hosted games, but a statement from the City of Toronto said they were “not eligible” for the payments.

- Jordan Ercit

REAL MADRID LEGEND IMPLORES 'DECEITFUL' GIANNI INFANTINO TO RESIGN AS FIFA PRESIDENT

Infantino is under immense pressure after his foiled plans to sell stakes in the World Cup to private investors

FIFA president Gianni Infantino (L) and Luis Figo (R) © VALERIANO DI DOMENICO / AFP

Luis Figo has implored Gianni Infantino to resign as pressure mounts on the much-criticised Fifa president following his foiled attempts to sell stakes in the World Cup.

Infantino was forced to abandon his plans – namely to sell stakes in the World Cup and other Fifa tournaments to private investors – after public uproar last week, with Uefa confirming a boycott of Fifa events if the plan was voted through.

On Tuesday, Jordan FA president Prince Ali bin Hussein accused Infantino of “blackmail” and, under immense pressure, the Fifa boss has called a meeting with senior leaders of world football’s governing body on Wednesday.

Real Madrid and Portugal legend Figo, who stood to be Fifa president in 2015 before withdrawing prior to the election won by Sepp Blatter (who made way for Infantino a year later), has now branded the various actions of Infantino as the “lowest, most deceitful and cravenly self-interested behaviour I have ever witnessed” in a stinging column for the Daily Mail.

Figo, who works as an adviser for Uefa, said: “I could write 10,000 words on the problems at Fifa. But the solution needs only three: Infantino must go.

“I have loved football all my life. I was a professional player for 20 years. And believe me, I have met some rogues in my time in the game. But what I have seen exposed in the last 10 days is the lowest, most deceitful and cravenly self-interested behaviour I have ever witnessed.

“The man who would do that – the man who would try to force through such major changes just to enrich himself and his friends – is a relic of the game’s past and should have no part in its future.”

Figo then listed the “litany of abuses” Infantino has enacted in recent months, including the Folarin Balogun debacle at the World Cup and extending the half-time break of the World Cup final for a musical show.

“Infantino has debased the office of Fifa president that he promised to elevate,” Figo added. “He has lied, deceived and tried to feather his own nest at the expense of the game he is supposed to serve.

“He has lost the support of his senior staff, his closest advisers, the vast majority of people who devote their lives to this sport and even, it would seem, the Fifa Peace Prize winner [Donald Trump].

“It is too late to save his dignity but it is not too late to save football. He should go. Now.”

Fifa secretary general Mattias Grafstrom criticised Infantino’s plans to sell stakes in an internal memo, while ex-Arsenal manager and Fifa’s chief of global football development Arsene Wenger said abandoning the proposals was “absolutely necessary and beyond question.”

The Football Association of Wales have withdrawn support for Infantino’s re-election next year, with the Football Association set to follow. Infantino will now be looking to argue his case and secure his position at Wednesday’s crucial meeting in Morocco.

- Kieran Jackson

JORDANIAN FA PRESIDENT ACCUSES FIFA OF 'BLACKMAIL'

Jordan FA president Ali Bin Al Hussein

FIFA has been accused of "blackmailing" Jordan over World Cup money in return for their support for Gianni Infantino to stay on as president.

Infantino is under mounting pressure amid the fallout from a plan to seek private investors in a company to run FIFA's tournaments, including the men’s and women’s World Cups.

The support of national associations in Asia could prove critical to his survival but the president of the Jordanian Football Association, Prince Ali Bin Al Hussein, wrote on X that his organisation "certainly" would not endorse Infantino after alleging FIFA sought to secure his support by promising it would help with the recovery of money he said was owed to the JFA.

Prince Ali, who stood for the FIFA presidency in 2015 against Sepp Blatter and against Infantino the following year, hit out at the difficulties faced by Jordanian fans seeking to enter the United States for this summer’s World Cup and the "exorbitant" price of tickets, and detailed the "huge costs" in taxes his association faced due to being based in the US rather than Canada or Mexico for the finals.

He then revealed Jordan was still awaiting prize money from last year’s Arab Cup, which is organised by FIFA, "while at the same time FIFA brags about how many billions they have in reserve".

"It is clear the problem really is with leadership," Prince Ali added.

"For months, FIFA has been refusing to help us on any of these or other matters – until it was verbally communicated to me during the World Cup that if I endorsed Infantino it would go a long way to helping our FA out.

"We pride ourselves in Jordan in upholding ethical values. We did not endorse him before and certainly will not now. But the whole situation amounts to blackmail and we refuse to give in to that."

FIFA declined to respond to Prince Ali’s remarks.

Asia is seen as the key continent in any presidential contest that may yet be forced, with Europe and nations from North America, Central America and the Caribbean expected to want Infantino out while Africa, South America and Oceania are expected to back him.

- PA 

UEFA READY TO OUST FIFA PRESIDENT GIANNI INFANTINO WITH NO-CONFIDENCE MOTION: REPORT

UEFA is reportedly prepared to trigger an emergency no-confidence vote against Infantino if he does not resign, with all 55 of the European governing body's member associations understood to be willing to support his removal.

FIFA president Gianni Infantino is reportedly facing the prospect of a no-confidence motion from UEFA.© Getty

FIFA president Gianni Infantino is reportedly facing the prospect of a no-confidence motion from UEFA after world football's governing body was forced to abandon its controversial proposal to sell a stake in the commercial rights of the FIFA World Cup and other competitions. The latest development comes amid growing scrutiny of FIFA's leadership following the withdrawal of the proposed FIFA Forward Enterprise (FFE) project, which had drawn strong opposition from UEFA, several continental confederations and senior figures within FIFA itself.

According to a report in The Telegraph, UEFA is prepared to trigger an emergency no-confidence vote against Infantino if he does not resign, with all 55 of the European governing body's member associations understood to be willing to support his removal. Under FIFA's statutes, UEFA can reportedly initiate such a motion with the backing of 43 member associations.

UEFA on Saturday welcomed FIFA's decision to scrap the proposal but launched a scathing attack on the organisation's leadership and governance.

In a strongly-worded statement, UEFA said FIFA's plan to sell a stake in its competitions, including the World Cup, into private hands had been unanimously rejected by its member associations and opposed by football stakeholders across the globe.

Describing the withdrawal as ‘a victory for the whole game', UEFA also declared that "football is not for sale" and thanked fans, clubs, leagues, players, national associations, confederations and political leaders who opposed the proposal.

The European body further claimed that the current FIFA leadership had "not only lost UEFA's confidence but also that of many other members of the football family", while accusing Infantino of failing to uphold his promises of transparency made when he was elected FIFA president in 2016.

The controversy centres around FIFA's proposed FIFA Forward Enterprise (FFE), a new commercial entity that would have managed the commercial rights of major FIFA competitions while allowing outside investors to acquire an equity stake. FIFA argued the initiative could significantly increase development funding for its member associations.

Infantino formally withdrew the proposal on Saturday, saying consultations had made it clear that the project had created divisions that were no longer in the best interests of football.

"Our purpose has always been, and will always be, to unite and improve," Infantino said while confirming that the proposal would not proceed.

The proposal had also prompted opposition from the Asian Football Confederation (AFC), CONCACAF and several FIFA stakeholders. Former FIFA senior adviser Carlos Cordeiro resigned in protest, while reports also suggested concerns had been raised internally over the project's transparency.

- IANS