Gianni Infantino is facing a rebellion from members of the Fifa council who are attempting to force an extraordinary general meeting (EGM) that could develop into a full-blown leadership challenge. The Guardian has learned that moves to call an EGM were already under way before the emergence of Infantino’s abortive plan to sell off stakes … Read more
The quickest route for Infantino’s exit would be for the Swiss to resign, like his predecessor Sepp Blatter did in 2015. But Infantino still retains support and he could try to hold out until March, when he is up for re-election for a fourth and final term as president. What other avenues are open? The … Read more
The fallout from the plans means Infantino is now under immense pressure as he seeks re-election for a fourth term as president at the Fifa Congress in March. Uefa were the first major governing body to react to Infantino’s decision to drop the investment plans, saying the Swiss had failed to deliver on his promises. … Read more
Uefa has warned Gianni Infantino that his style of leadership cannot continue in demanding a thorough and fundamental review of Fifa’s governance. In a strongly worded statement that referred to “secret schemes”, “shabby backroom deals” and “faceless individuals”, the Uefa leadership made clear it wants change at the top of Fifa, despite the world governing … Read more
Infantino came to wider public attention, and attracted further criticism, during this summer’s World Cup, which was staged in the USA, Mexico and Canada. The tournament made headlines before a ball was kicked, with visas to the United States delayed – and even denied – for supporters, coaching staff and officials. In May, Iran’s base … Read more
Fifa and Infantino wanted to create a commercial subsidiary to run its main events, including its World Cups, with external investors able to buy stakes in it. It said it would “invite third parties to make minority, non-controlling investments” in a new subsidiary – Fifa Forward Enterprise (FFE). Infantino set a deadline of 19 September … Read more
Victor Montagliani (Concacaf president) Like Infantino, he was elected in 2016 promising governance reform. A former president of Canada Soccer, as co-chair, Montagliani was heavily involved in the build up to, and delivery of the 2026 World Cup, the first to be hosted by three nations. He is fluent in French, Italian and Spanish, as … Read more
What has been happening? It has been a week that has rocked football. The news caught everyone by surprise. When reports first emerged on Tuesday afternoon that Fifa, world football’s governing body, was to launch a vehicle to control the commercial rights to the World Cup, and would sell a stake of this company to … Read more
While Uefa members are among the richest on the planet, many other nations rely on Fifa funding for basic infrastructure. While the AFC opposes Infantino’s plan, unlike Uefa it has not threatened to boycott Fifa competitions. AFC members would not be obliged to vote against the proposals. Rogers Byamukama, of the Ugandan Football Federation, argued … Read more
UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham has hit out at FIFA president Gianni Infantino. Burnham is a long-outspoken advocate of fan causes and has been particularly vocal in his criticisms of FIFA, going all the way back to their award of the 2018 World Cup to Russia. And Burnham believes that FIFA’s plans to involve private … Read more