Africa backs Infantino as CAF unanimously votes in FIFA president’s favour

The Confederation of African Football (CAF) Executive Committee has unanimously reaffirmed its support for FIFA President Gianni Infantino, who is seeking re-election in March. This decision comes as UEFA has stated its commitment to boycotting future World Cups while Infantino remains in office. CAF, representing 54 FIFA member associations, has been a significant voting bloc for Infantino since 2016. CAF President Patrice Motsepe welcomed FIFA's pledge to review processes following controversy over the abandoned proposal to sell a slice of the World Cup's commercial future, while also emphasizing the importance of good governance and transparency in global football.

UEFA has maintained its threat to boycott FIFA competitions, stating that conditions to withdraw the boycott have not been met. This comes after FIFA apologized for its failed plan to sell stakes in the World Cup and held a summit in Morocco where President Gianni Infantino's support was reaffirmed by attendees. UEFA reiterated its loss of confidence in Infantino's presidency and emphasized that the proposals to sell major competitions must be withdrawn, with assurances that such attempts will not be repeated. FIFA stated its apology and commitment to prevent future errors were intended to restore confidence. However, UEFA remains dissatisfied, asserting that the support shown for Infantino by his staff does not change their position.

UEFA Vice President Laura McAllister has called for a future FIFA president to be a "custodian of the sport" capable of uniting global football. This statement comes as pressure mounts on current FIFA President Gianni Infantino following his aborted World Cup investment plan. Despite a defiant stance from FIFA leadership, which reaffirmed support for Infantino and apologized for process mistakes, UEFA continues to lead criticism. McAllister highlighted the difficulty in finding a credible challenger to Infantino due to the need for broad global support and advocated for sweeping governance reforms to democratize football's leadership and modernize its structures.

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 confirmed sending a document preservation letter to FIFA, signaling potential legal action following FIFA President Gianni Infantino's now-abandoned plan to sell minority stakes in World Cups. This letter requires 18 FIFA executives, including Arsene Wenger, to retain relevant data and documents. UEFA stated they have lost confidence in Infantino and believe rebuilding trust at FIFA is necessary. While the letter does not confirm immediate legal action, it suggests UEFA is exploring all options for change at FIFA. Other confederations like CONCACAF and the AFC also rejected FIFA's plan, though only UEFA threatened a boycott.

UEFA has confirmed sending a document preservation letter to FIFA following the withdrawal of Gianni Infantino's plan to sell a stake in future World Cup profits. This legal step notifies FIFA to retain relevant data and documents as potential evidence. The preservation letter, sent by UEFA's legal counsel, indicates that UEFA is actively considering legal action, arbitration, or regulatory complaints related to the proposed "FIFA Forward Enterprise" (FFE) plan. The plan, which aimed to raise $4.2 billion from private investors, was dropped after facing significant backlash, including threats of boycotts from UEFA member federations. UEFA has also signaled its desire to find an alternative candidate for FIFA president in the upcoming election.

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.

FIFA's plan to sell stakes in a $20 billion commercial subsidiary for its World Cup and other events has drawn strong criticism from regional football confederations. CONCACAF and the AFC stated they were blindsided by the proposal, learning of it through media reports rather than official channels. CONCACAF expressed deep concern over the lack of due process, while the AFC conveyed disappointment that such a significant plan was announced before consultation. Individual national federations, including France and England, also reported being unaware of the proposal and raised concerns about governance and transparency. UEFA is reportedly seeking an emergency meeting to discuss the move.

Asia's soccer body, the Asian Football Confederation (AFC), has joined opposition to FIFA President Gianni Infantino's plan to sell stakes in World Cup commercial ventures to private investors. The AFC stated it stands in solidarity with UEFA and CONCACAF, which have also voiced strong objections. The proposed $20 billion subsidiary, backed by investor Joshua Kushner, is seen by the AFC as unable to achieve necessary consensus. The AFC called for an urgent review of FIFA's governance and decision-making processes, highlighting fundamental weaknesses exposed by the secretive proposal. FIFA, however, blamed media reports for disrupting its consultation process and intends to proceed.

FIFA has proposed creating a new subsidiary, FIFA Forward Enterprise, to manage the World Cup and other events, with plans to sell minority stakes of up to 20 percent to private investors. This move aims to raise up to $4.2 billion, which FIFA states will be reinvested in global football development. The proposal, which still requires a vote from FIFA's 211 member nations, has drawn strong criticism from UEFA, who view it as crossing an unacceptable line for football governance. A potential investor group is expected to be led by a vehicle founded by Joshua Kushner.

UEFA member federations have unanimously agreed to boycott all FIFA competitions, including the World Cup, in protest of FIFA President Gianni Infantino's plan to sell stakes in the event to private investors. The decision was made during an urgent online meeting of UEFA's 55 members. This action is a direct response to FIFA's proposal to spin off its commercial operations in a $20 billion deal, with 20 percent to be owned by private investors, reportedly including a New York venture capital firm. UEFA stated that no national teams will participate in FIFA competitions as long as these proposals remain active, emphasizing that the World Cup should not be treated as an investment product.

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."

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.