1) Divide the governing body into separate units How can the organisation responsible for staging football’s largest tournament also act as the authority that writes and enforces the sport’s rules? The latest World Cup highlighted the problems created by this dual role, with Fifa appearing willing to adjust established regulations on matters such as suspension […]
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Gianni Infantino has expressed regret over mistakes linked to a disputed proposal to sell shares in football competitions to private investors. He will nevertheless continue as Fifa president after senior officials endorsed his leadership at a meeting in Morocco. Infantino called members of the management board to Fifa’s African office in Rabat on Wednesday as […]
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In the past few decades, Salé, situated across the river from Rabat on Morocco’s Atlantic shoreline, has changed dramatically. At the beginning of the century, it remained a rugged working-class city whose worn historic quarter was convincing enough to portray Somalia’s capital, Mogadishu, in the film Black Hawk Down. Since then, however, the country’s authoritarian […]
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Gianni Infantino has called leading officials from football’s global governing organisation to talks in Morocco on Wednesday, following another day of intense criticism over his proposal to transfer Fifa’s commercial and event activities to a separate enterprise. Arsene Wenger, Fifa’s head of global football development, secretary general Mattias Grafstrom and Jordanian Football Association president Prince […]
Continue ReadingGianni Infantino’s standing suffered another setback after Fifa secretary general Mattias Grafström, his second-in-command, described the abandoned private investment proposal for the World Cup as a “regrettable and deeply troubling sequence of events”. Further signs that senior figures within Fifa are distancing themselves from Infantino and the unsuccessful initiative emerged on Tuesday morning, when Arsène […]
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Andros Townsend, Don Hutchison and Adam Crafton of The Athletic join Aaron Paul for a discussion about FIFA, Gianni Infantino and the latest transfer developments. Sports editor Dan Roan provides an update on Infantino’s position following the announcement of plans to sell private investors stakes in FIFA competitions. After a deeply damaging week, could he […]
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The Football Association of Wales has ended its backing for Gianni Infantino’s campaign to remain Fifa president after his mishandled attempt to sell private investors shares in the World Cup. Infantino confirmed last week that he had abandoned the heavily criticised proposal, which three confederations opposed. However, his decade in charge of Fifa continues to […]
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Gianni Infantino is confronting opposition from members of the Fifa Council who are seeking to convene an extraordinary general meeting (EGM), a move that could escalate into a direct challenge to his leadership. Efforts to secure an EGM had reportedly begun before details emerged of Infantino’s abandoned proposal to sell shares in the World Cup. […]
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The fastest way for Infantino to leave office would be to step down voluntarily, as his predecessor Sepp Blatter did in 2015. However, Infantino continues to have support and may attempt to remain in charge until March, when he is expected to seek re-election for a fourth and final presidential term. What other options are […]
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Infantino gained greater public prominence and faced renewed scrutiny during the summer World Cup hosted across the United States, Mexico and Canada. Controversy surrounded the competition before it began, as some supporters, coaches and officials experienced delays or refusals when applying for US visas. In May, Iran’s tournament base was relocated to Mexico after the […]
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