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Infantino avoids questions about his future as uncertainty grows at FIFA

From Al Jazeera · () English

Translated from English and summarized by DistantNews. Read the original for the full story.

At a glance

News Named sources Ongoing story
  • FIFA president Gianni Infantino avoided questions about resigning or seeking a fourth term while attending the Under-20 Women’s World Cup in Poland.
  • His proposed $20 billion subsidiary for FIFA commercial rights collapsed after opposition from member associations and officials, while legal action continues.
  • UEFA is seeking evidence related to the plan, and FIFA has accused the European body of conducting a smear campaign against its leadership.

Gianni Infantino arrived at the Under-20 Women’s World Cup in Poland with a leadership challenge hanging over him, but declined to say whether he would resign or seek a fourth term as FIFA president.

Infantino attended the opening-day match between hosts Poland and Argentina at Arena Katowice. He spoke with Polish Football Association president Cezary Kulesza, but avoided questions about his future at football’s global governing body.

“There will be a lot to say, but there will be a right place and a right time to say this. It’s not today, it’s not here, but here and today, we are enjoying football,” Infantino told Sky News outside the venue. He added that FIFA was continuing to work to give people around the world “a chance, an opportunity, a dignity” to participate in and celebrate football.

There will be a lot to say, but there will be a right place and a right time to say this. It’s not today, it’s not here, but here and today, we are enjoying football.

· Gianni InfantinoThe FIFA president declined to discuss his re-election prospects while attending the tournament in Poland.

Infantino has largely stayed out of the spotlight since his plan to sell FIFA’s commercial rights to private investors collapsed. The proposal called for a $20 billion subsidiary to control rights including those to the World Cup. A New York fund created by Joshua Kushner was expected to lead the investment, with initial funding intended to finance $20 million offers to each of FIFA’s 211 member federations. Federations were given a mid-September deadline to accept, but Infantino withdrew the plan within four days of its disclosure.

European football associations, which represent a quarter of the 24-team tournament field, abandoned a boycott threat after FIFA gave assurances that the plan would not return. Legal action over the original proposal continues. UEFA is seeking evidence connected to the FIFA Forward Enterprise plan, while a FIFA court filing accused UEFA of running “a smear campaign against FIFA and its leadership.” Europe remains central to efforts to remove Infantino before next year’s FIFA election.

A smear campaign against FIFA and its leadership

· FIFAThe phrase appeared in a court filing accusing UEFA of seeking evidence related to the failed commercial-rights plan.
About this summary

Originally published by Al Jazeera in English. Translated, summarized, and contextualized automatically by DistantNews, with a note on how the source frames the story. Not individually reviewed before publishing. How this works.

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