Leaked FIFA memo reveals what top staff really think about Gianni Infantino’s World Cup plan
A leaked memo has shown how FIFA secretary general Mattias Grafstrom really felt about Gianni Infantino’s controversial World Cup plan.
In one of the biggest football scandals recently, FIFA president Infantino revealed plans to let outside groups buy minority shares in a new company called FIFA Forward Enterprise (FFE). This company, worth about £15 billion, would have basically meant selling parts of FIFA’s commercial and event operations, including the World Cup.
Right away, UEFA responded angrily, saying they would boycott all FIFA competitions if Infantino’s plan went ahead. Soon after, Carlos Cordeiro, a senior advisor to Infantino, resigned, calling the deal “bad for the game.”
Now, an internal memo shared by Sky News shows that Grafstrom also didn’t support Infantino’s bold plan. He called it “a sad and regrettable series of events,” but said it was a relief that the FFE project has now been dropped.
Grafstrom encouraged staff to stay focused on what unites them: serving football and the 211 Member Associations, working together with all involved, and following FIFA’s rules. He promised to protect the staff from the political mess and reminded them not to worry.
He also said people and tough times come and go, but FIFA’s mission and responsibility to world football remain. Grafstrom asked everyone to keep their professionalism, stay calm, and keep perspective.
He thanked the staff for their hard work and said his door is always open to support the team as long as his work is valued.
He added that the past week has been very difficult for everyone working at FIFA around the world.
The strong backlash has led to calls for Infantino to step down as FIFA president. He plans to run for re-election in March, hoping for a fourth and final term. But he needs 106 out of 211 votes, and that looks unlikely since England and several other national associations have already withdrawn their support.
Before the election, the FIFA Council might even hold an emergency meeting to try to make Infantino resign early because of the growing opposition.