UEFA turns up pressure on Infantino as resignation calls grow

FIFA President Gianni Infantino

ZURICH, Aug 2: FIFA President Gianni Infantino’s troubles appear far from over despite abandoning his controversial plan to privatize parts of the World Cup’s commercial rights, with reports suggesting he now faces a decisive choice: resign or risk a vote of no confidence.

European media outlets reported that UEFA is pushing for Infantino to step down, claiming that all 55 member associations of the European governing body are prepared to support a motion to remove him if he refuses to leave. UEFA reportedly needs the backing of 43 members to call for such a vote.

Infantino came under intense criticism after introducing the proposal last week, a move that was met with widespread opposition from football bodies and officials concerned about the future direction of the World Cup.

UEFA said it had lost confidence in Infantino and called for changes at the top of FIFA following the governing body’s decision to scrap plans to sell a stake in World Cup commercial rights estimated at $20 billion.

While welcoming FIFA’s withdrawal of the proposal, UEFA said future decisions of such magnitude must not be made without proper consultation with all stakeholders.

The European body also stated that it had lost faith in several figures within FIFA’s leadership structure.

FIFA’s decision to abandon the plan came after a backlash from regional confederations, which said they were surprised by the proposal and demanded greater transparency in the way major commercial decisions are handled.

The episode has intensified concerns over Infantino’s leadership approach, with football officials calling for stronger oversight of decisions that could have a major impact on the sport’s governance and financial future.

Reports also suggested that Infantino was set to take a leading executive role at FIFA Forward Enterprise (FFE). This proposed commercial arm would manage FIFA’s business rights, with an expected annual base salary of around $30 million before bonuses.

The head of the European Professional Football Leagues Association has questioned Infantino’s future as FIFA president, saying it would be difficult for him to remain in charge after the collapse of his controversial plan to sell stakes in World Cup commercial rights.

Claudius Schiffer, whose organization represents 53 men’s and women’s football leagues, said Infantino faced a single likely outcome following the widespread backlash from continental football bodies against the proposal.

“After seeing how this entire situation unfolded, and realizing that FIFA’s key bodies were not involved in the decision, there is usually only one outcome in a company or organization,” Schiffer told Swiss newspaper SonntagsZeitung.

Asked whether Infantino had become unacceptable as FIFA president, Schiffer replied that this is normally the consequence when someone pushes through a major commercial deal without the knowledge or approval of others within an organization.

UEFA and CONCACAF have already announced that they have lost confidence in Infantino’s leadership after FIFA abandoned plans to sell a stake in World Cup commercial rights.

Schiffer, who also serves as CEO of the Swiss Super League, said the proposal raised concerns that FIFA’s priority was shifting toward maximizing returns for external investors by expanding the number of major competitions.