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. […]
Continue Reading
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 […]
Continue Reading
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 […]
Continue Reading
Infantino was elected Fifa president in 2016, defeating AFC president Sheikh Salman al-Khalifa by 115 votes to 88. The next Fifa president is due to be confirmed at the organisation’s 77th Congress in Morocco next March. Anyone wishing to stand must submit their candidacy by 18 November. Before this week’s developments, Infantino had been expected […]
Continue Reading
What has taken place? Football has endured a turbulent week after unexpected reports emerged on Tuesday afternoon. The sport’s global governing body was said to be preparing a company that would manage the World Cup’s commercial rights, with part of the business offered to outside investors. Even members of the organization’s main decision-making council reportedly […]
Continue Reading
Pressure intensified around Gianni Infantino after a turbulent day in which a senior adviser stepped down and FIFA’s chief operating officer issued a severe public criticism of his leadership. Infantino is facing growing resistance over his proposal to sell private investors stakes connected to the World Cup. European associations have warned that they could boycott […]
Continue Reading
Yet Caf’s strong relationship with Fifa has also created difficulties, as Motsepe has seemed reluctant to publicly question Infantino or decisions made by his organisation. Fifa faced widespread criticism after US officials denied Somali referee Omar Artan entry to the country before the World Cup. It received further condemnation for suspending the one-game punishment imposed […]
Continue Reading
Nobody can say with confidence what will happen next, and Infantino’s long-term position remains unclear. Fifa has not yet replied to Uefa’s declaration. Concacaf, the governing body for football in North and Central America and the host confederation of this year’s World Cup, later issued its own statement saying all 41 members opposed the proposals. […]
Continue Reading
Several national federations have voiced frustration after learning of the proposals only when Fifa announced them publicly. However, notably, many statements issued to date have stopped short of directly opposing the idea of the sale itself. Nevertheless, many Uefa members are believed to be unhappy with the proposal, and a meeting is expected to be […]
Continue Reading
Jamie Raskin, the leading Democrat on the House Judiciary Committee, has opened an inquiry into Fifa president Gianni Infantino and requested records outlining the organization’s connections with Donald Trump and his administration. In a letter sent on Sunday, Raskin asked Infantino to hand over documents and correspondence concerning any gifts, money or other advantages given […]
Continue Reading