FIFA’s Infantino sought Trump backing after World Cup selloff plan: Report

FIFA President Gianni Infantino reportedly sought support from Donald Trump's administration after his plan to sell a stake in World Cup commercial rights collapsed. The New York Post reported that Infantino felt isolated by negative media coverage following the abandonment of the proposal. FIFA had planned to unlock up to $4.2 billion by selling a stake in a new entity overseeing competitions, but faced significant resistance. The failed initiative has intensified scrutiny on Infantino's bid for another term as FIFA president. Infantino and Trump have a known relationship, with Infantino presenting Trump with the FIFA Peace Prize in the past. The proposed deal was reportedly set to be anchored by Thrive Capital, founded by Joshua Kushner, brother of Jared Kushner.

UEFA has declared a loss of confidence in FIFA President Gianni Infantino following the abandonment of his plan to sell stakes in the World Cup to private equity investors. The proposal, which aimed to create a $20 billion company, was scrapped after facing widespread opposition from Europe, North America, and Asia, and the resignation of Infantino's senior adviser. UEFA stated that "no option should be off the table" and will conduct a full review, emphasizing that the current FIFA leadership has lost the confidence of many within the football community. The plan reportedly involved a New York-based investment firm linked to the Kushner family.

The Football Association of Wales (FAW) has formally withdrawn its support for FIFA President Gianni Infantino's re-election bid for the 2027-2031 term. This decision follows the abandonment of FIFA's plan to sell a stake in the World Cup's commercial rights to private investors, a move that generated significant resistance. The FAW cited failures in governance, processes, leadership, values, stakeholder management, communications, and sound judgment as reasons for their loss of confidence. They stated that not prioritizing football's best interests is unacceptable. This marks the first time a federation has publicly withdrawn support for Infantino, amid similar expressions of lost confidence from UEFA and CONCACAF. FIFA has not yet commented on the FAW's statement.

FIFA has scrapped its controversial plan to sell a 20% stake in a new unit managing its events, including the World Cup, for up to $4.2 billion. The proposal faced widespread backlash from member associations, including European governing body UEFA, which threatened to boycott FIFA competitions. FIFA President Gianni Infantino stated the project created divisions and was no longer in the organization's best interest. The plan, announced on Tuesday, was criticized by senior advisor Carlos Cordeiro as a "bad deal for football" and by UEFA as "irresponsible and indefensible." The decision comes amid scrutiny of Infantino's leadership and FIFA's governance processes.

FIFA President Gianni Infantino has abandoned his plan to sell World Cup profits to private equity firms following widespread opposition. The proposal, which aimed to create a $20 billion company involving private investors, faced significant backlash from football organizations worldwide. UEFA, representing 55 member nations, threatened to boycott FIFA competitions, while CONCACAF and the Asian Football Confederation also voiced their opposition. Infantino stated the project had created divisions contrary to FIFA's objective of unity. The decision came after Infantino's senior advisor resigned, urging others to speak out against the plan.

FIFA President Gianni Infantino has abandoned plans to sell stakes in the World Cup. The BBC's Shaimaa Khalil reported on the reasons behind this decision. While the article does not specify when this change of heart occurred, it indicates that Infantino has reversed his controversial investment proposal. The core reason for backing down, as explained by Khalil, is the controversy surrounding the initial idea. The article does not provide further details on the specific nature of the controversy or the proposed stakes.

UEFA has threatened FIFA with legal action over President Gianni Infantino's recently withdrawn plan to sell a stake in future World Cup profits to private investors. The European soccer body informed FIFA that it is "actively considering legal action, arbitration, and/or regulatory complaints" related to the proposed "FIFA Forward Enterprise" (FFE) plan. UEFA also formally notified FIFA that any destruction of relevant evidence would be considered spoliation. The FFE proposal, which aimed to raise $4.2 billion, was dropped after facing global backlash, with UEFA leading the opposition. UEFA has also signaled a desire to end Infantino's presidency, stating he has lost the confidence of world soccer.

Carlos Cordeiro, a senior adviser to FIFA President Gianni Infantino, has resigned in protest of FIFA's proposal to seek private investment in its World Cup and other events. Cordeiro stated the plan, which involves creating a $20 billion subsidiary with up to a 20% stake offered to external investors, is "a bad deal for football." He questioned why FIFA would sell a stake in its most valuable asset when it has substantial reserves and no debt. The proposal, reportedly bankrolled by Joshua Kushner, requires FIFA's 211 member associations to decide by September 19. Cordeiro, a former banker and ex-US Soccer Federation vice president, was appointed to help grow world football for FIFA.

Senior FIFA adviser Carlos Cordeiro resigned from his position on the White House Task Force for the World Cup in protest of FIFA President Gianni Infantino's plan to sell a stake in the organization's commercial businesses. Cordeiro, a former Goldman Sachs banker and ex-U.S. Soccer Federation president, called the proposal to create a $20 billion subsidiary with 20% private ownership a "bad deal for football," arguing that FIFA has sufficient financial resources and does not need to mortgage its future for $4.2 billion. He expressed opposition to the plan, which involves an investment firm linked to Joshua Kushner, and urged other FIFA staff to speak out. European nations have also agreed to boycott FIFA competitions in response to the plan.

Former FIFA President Sepp Blatter has strongly criticized FIFA's proposal to create a subsidiary to manage the World Cup and other events, with plans to sell up to 20 percent stakes to external investors. Blatter, who led FIFA for 17 years until 2015, stated that the World Cup is not a commercial asset for executives or private equity investors seeking profits, but rather belongs to the people and is part of world football's cultural heritage. He argued that transforming FIFA into a profit-oriented corporate structure would cause it to lose its soul. This plan has also drawn criticism from European football authorities like UEFA, who believe FIFA is putting the game up for sale.

UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham has called for FIFA President Gianni Infantino to resign over proposed plans to sell a stake in the World Cup. Burnham described the proposals as "outrageous" and stated that Infantino is the "wrong man to lead the organisation." This intervention makes Burnham the first leader of a major nation to demand Infantino's resignation. FIFA plans to create an investment vehicle holding World Cup commercial rights and sell a portion for $4.2 billion. The proposal has faced significant backlash from football bodies, including UEFA, and led to the resignation of a senior FIFA adviser, Carlos Cordeiro, who called it a "bad deal for football."

The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) president, Sheikh Salman bin Ebrahim Al Khalifa, has expressed strong disapproval of FIFA's plan to sell stakes in the World Cup to private investors. In a letter to the AFC's 47 member associations, he stated that the lack of consultation from FIFA was "totally unacceptable" and that the move undermines the sport's continental structure. FIFA announced its intention to create a $20 billion commercial subsidiary to manage its events, a decision that blindsided regional confederations like the AFC. Sheikh Salman emphasized that the proposal cannot succeed without the support of all confederations and called for a thorough examination through appropriate legal and governance channels.

Uefa member federations have agreed to boycott all Fifa competitions in protest of Fifa President Gianni Infantino's plan to sell stakes in the World Cup to private equity investors. The decision was made during an urgent online meeting of the 55 European football body members. Uefa stated that "some things are simply too important to sell" and that the World Cup belongs to football and will never be for sale as long as Europe has a voice. The article also mentions that the core investor would be a US investment firm created by Joshua Kushner.