Gianni Infantino is facing the biggest threat to his presidency after senior FIFA figures reportedly moved towards an emergency showdown that could end his reign following the collapse of his controversial World Cup investment plans.
The FIFA president has come under intense pressure in recent days after abandoning proposals to sell a stake in the commercial rights of the World Cup, with opponents now believed to be considering whether to force a leadership contest.
According to The Sunday Times, an extraordinary FIFA Council meeting is expected to examine the fallout from the abandoned proposal, while discussions have intensified over whether Infantino should remain in office.
Should he refuse to step aside, rivals are expected to back an alternative candidate at next spring’s FIFA presidential election.
One senior football source told the newspaper: “Infantino had it all and his reckless greed means he has now lost it.
“He’s an embarrassment and he’s not a lame duck, but a dead duck.”
The governing body’s handling of the proposed deal has reportedly alarmed commercial partners, with sponsors said to have contacted FIFA seeking reassurances as criticism mounted.
JP Morgan, which has reportedly been involved in the financing discussions surrounding the proposal, is also said to be distancing itself from the project.
Gianni Infantino is facing the biggest threat to his presidency after senior FIFA figures reportedly moved towards an emergency showdown that could end his reign following the collapse of his controversial World Cup investment plans
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Pressure on Infantino extends beyond the failed investment plan.
FIFA Council members are also reported to have demanded an independent investigation into the decision to overturn Folarin Balogun’s World Cup red card after claims the president intervened following conversations with US President Donald Trump.
The combination of controversies has fuelled speculation that the governing body could face an unprecedented leadership battle.
Under FIFA’s statutes, member associations also have the power to trigger an extraordinary congress if sufficient support is secured, raising the prospect of a vote of no confidence should dissatisfaction continue to grow.
FIFA chiefs are keen to oust Gianni Infantino following his unsuccessful World Cup plot
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Several high-profile figures have already emerged as potential successors should the presidency become vacant.
Concacaf president Victor Montagliani, Asian Football Confederation chief Sheikh Salman and Paris Saint-Germain president Nasser Al-Khelaifi have all been linked with possible bids.
It’s even been suggested that Montagliani reportedly believes he could already command significant backing from UEFA and Concacaf member associations if an election were called.
The controversy centres on Infantino’s proposal to sell a 20 per cent stake in a newly created World Cup operating company to private investors.
The plans drew fierce criticism from football authorities across the globe, with opponents arguing the move would fundamentally alter the governance of the sport’s biggest tournament.
UEFA launched one of the strongest attacks, accusing FIFA of attempting to “sell off the family silver” and describing the proposal as a “shabby, backroom deal” that had “lost UEFA’s confidence” and that of the wider football community.
Concacaf also criticised the direction of FIFA under Infantino, saying the organisation had “stopped putting football first” and calling for a “comprehensive reckoning with this presidency”.
LaLiga president Javier Tebas joined the growing list of critics over the weekend, declaring that Infantino’s “time is up” and insisting that “world football needs new leadership”.
Gianni Infantino is currently one of the biggest villains within the world of football
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Infantino has received public backing from only a small number of national associations, including Qatar, Morocco and Lebanon, during the crisis.
The pressure intensified further after senior adviser Carlos Cordeiro resigned, while chief operating officer Kevin Lamour reportedly told staff they had been “deceived” over the proposals.
Despite mounting criticism, Infantino has shown no intention of resigning, however.
In a statement following his decision to abandon the plans, he said his focus was now “to bring all interested parties back together… in the spirit of shared interest in our game.”
