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FIFA reappoints Infantino, but criticism extends beyond football to politics

From Hankyoreh · () Korean

Translated from Korean, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News From a news agency New plan
  • FIFA publicly reaffirmed its support for President Gianni Infantino following controversy over plans to sell stakes in World Cup rights to private investors.
  • The organization acknowledged "errors" in the proposal process and stated that stakeholders should not have felt excluded.
  • Despite FIFA's backing, major European football leagues and political figures have criticized Infantino's leadership and governance.

FIFA has publicly reaffirmed its full support for President Gianni Infantino, seeking to quell controversy surrounding a now-withdrawn plan to sell stakes in World Cup rights to private investors. The organization acknowledged "errors" in the proposal process during an emergency meeting in Rabat, Morocco, attended by the Secretary General and Executive Council members.

We acknowledge the errors that occurred in the proposal process. It was never our intention that the FIFA Council and the member associations should feel excluded from the process.

— FIFA StatementFIFA addressed the controversy surrounding the proposed sale of World Cup rights, admitting to errors in the process.

In a statement, FIFA declared "unreserved support" for Infantino, the sole elected FIFA President. The organization admitted that stakeholders, including member associations, should not have felt excluded and agreed that the proposal process should have been handled differently. FIFA also recognized errors that occurred after the proposal's details were leaked to the media. Investigation results are expected at the next council meeting.

We agree that the proposal process should have been handled differently.

— FIFA StatementFIFA acknowledged shortcomings in how the plan to involve private investors was managed.

Despite FIFA's public show of confidence, external criticism remains strong. European Leagues, an association representing major European professional football leagues like the Premier League and La Liga, issued its own statement urging FIFA to reform its governance. They declared they would not cooperate with any expansion or creation of FIFA tournaments until governance reforms are implemented.

We will not cooperate with any expansion or creation of FIFA tournaments until governance reforms are implemented.

— European LeaguesMajor European football leagues stated their conditions for future cooperation with FIFA.

This situation puts pressure on Infantino's bid for a fourth term. Former Portuguese football star Luís Figo has called for Infantino's resignation, and other European football associations have withdrawn their support. Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney, whose country is a co-host of the 2026 World Cup, criticized Infantino's failure to inform key staff and the board about the significant investment plan, calling it a "fatal governance failure" and stating he does not trust the FIFA president.

Fatal governance failure.

— Mark CarneyCanadian Prime Minister Mark Carney criticized FIFA's handling of the investment plan.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Hankyoreh in Korean. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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