Gianni Infantino apologises for FIFA World Cup privatisation bid; wins officials' backing

Gianni Infantino is under pressure to resign following the World Cup controversy.

FIFA president Gianni Infantino apologised to the 211 member nations of the football governing body. He admitted to the “mistakes” in the handling of the now-abandoned plans to privatise parts of the FIFA World Cup’s commercial rights.

This development came during a crisis meeting held by FIFA in Rabat, Morocco. Infantino and FIFA secretary general Mattias Grafstrom signed a letter sent to the member associations in which they “sincerely apologised for the errors” made during the proposal.

The proposal involved a controversial bid to sell a 20% stake in a newly created commercial rights company to private investors. The deal would have been worth around $4.2 billion, which FIFA promised would aid the development of football across the world.

However, the move attracted widespread criticism. Primarily from leading figures and football associations, with UEFA even announcing a boycott of the World Cup if the deal went through. The proposal was eventually withdrawn on Saturday.

Also Read: Gianni Infantino ‘planning to sell stakes’ in FIFA World Cup to private investors

FIFA leadership rallies behind Gianni Infantino

Infantino has often been the subject of criticism from fans, including for his close relationship with US President Donald Trump. However, this latest fiasco has put his position as FIFA president under severe threat.

UEFA and several European national associations, including the English FA, withdrew their letters of endorsement given to Infantino for the upcoming presidential elections. Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney said that Infantino’s bid to privatise the World Cup should be “fatal” for his position.

Despite such intense pressure on the Swiss administrator to step down, he received the public backing of FIFA officials, following seven hours of crisis talks held in Rabat.

“Following a meeting in Rabat, Morocco, the FIFA Secretary General and members of the FIFA management board in attendance reaffirmed their full support for FIFA President Gianni Infantino,” a statement read.

“In turn, the FIFA President reiterated his full support for the FIFA Secretary General and the FIFA administration for their necessary and outstanding work in the delivery of his vision.”

FIFA also added that Infantino was “the only official elected by the 211 FIFA member associations,” affirming his popularity among the organisation. Infantino replaced the disgraced Sepp Blatter as FIFA president in 2016.

Also Read: Gianni Infantino praises Argentina’s ‘professionalism’ in LEAKED letter despite FIFA investigation

FIFA admits mistakes, orders review

Despite its public backing of Infantino, FIFA admitted that it had made mistakes during the World Cup proposal. Especially in how it communicated it to the member associations. Each nation was given just under a month to decide on their course of action, while also being offered a £30.1 million incentive to support the proposal.

“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,” a statement read.

The global football body ordered a full review of the proposal and its handling. The findings are set to be presented at the next FIFA Council meeting, which will be attended by 37 national representatives.

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