Fans want a ‘review of FIFA’s leadership’ as more people call for Gianni Infantino to step down after the World Cup ticket change.
The Football Association (FA) has joined many others in criticizing Gianni Infantino’s actions, calling for a “review of FIFA’s leadership.” Infantino made headlines for the wrong reasons after FIFA revealed plans to invite outside investors to buy minority shares in a new company called FIFA Forward Enterprise, which would handle the commercial rights for future tournaments.
FIFA wanted to raise £3.1 billion by selling these shares, valuing the new company at around £15 billion. To get support, Infantino even offered a £30 million bonus to those who agreed by September 19. But this move quickly backfired. Many football governing bodies, including UEFA, strongly opposed the idea, accusing FIFA of trying to make money at football’s expense. Other groups like Concacaf and AFC also spoke out against it.
Even people close to Infantino didn’t agree with his plan. On July 30, his senior advisor Carlos Codeiro resigned, calling it a “bad deal for the game.” FIFA’s COO, Kevin Lamour, said he felt “deceived” because Infantino didn’t inform him.
Thankfully, common sense won. Early on August 1, FIFA announced they would not go ahead with the plans. This was seen as a big win for football’s future, especially since Spain and Portugal had threatened to pull out of hosting the 2030 World Cup. UEFA responded by saying they had lost confidence in Infantino and called his plan a “shabby, back-room deal.”
Many, including the FA, agree with UEFA’s stance. The FA posted on X, “We fully support UEFA’s position. It’s time for a full review of FIFA’s leadership to make sure football is run openly and fairly for all 211 member countries, with the future of the sport in mind.”
Infantino had already lost support due to his actions during the World Cup, and this latest issue has only increased doubts about his future as FIFA president. Usually, when someone makes big mistakes, people ask for them to step down. But former FA chairman David Bernstein says Infantino might stay on if enough national associations back him. “In a normal organisation, he’d probably be shown the door,” Bernstein told BBC Sport. “But FIFA isn’t normal. If he has enough support, he will continue.”
With the FA and UEFA already showing they don’t trust Infantino, it seems only a matter of time before others do the same.