UEFA says has ‘lost confidence’ in Infantino as FIFA chief pulls sell-off plan

Gianni Infantino’s leadership of FIFA has come under renewed pressure after European football’s governing body UEFA said it had lost confidence in him over his controversial plan to sell a stake in the World Cup’s commercial rights.

In a strongly worded statement, UEFA said football “cannot keep going on like this with secret schemes on fast-track timescales,” calling for a “thorough and fundamental” review of FIFA’s leadership and insisting that “no option should be off the table.”

“The current FIFA leadership has not only lost UEFA’s confidence, but also that of many other members of the football family,” the organization said.

UEFA said Infantino had failed to fulfill promises of transparency and accountability made before he was first elected FIFA president in 2016.

The criticism followed Infantino’s plan to establish a new commercial entity that would hold FIFA’s broadcasting, sponsorship and tournament rights, with a minority stake reportedly worth up to $4.2 billion to be sold to private investors.

The proposal faced opposition from football confederations and national associations, which criticized both the terms of the deal and the lack of consultation before it was presented to FIFA’s member federations.

Faced with increased pressure, Infantino announced on Saturday that the plan has been scrapped. 

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UEFA warned against “shabby backroom deals” and decision-making by “faceless individuals,” saying, “We must identify those responsible and hold them to account.”

The English Football Association backed UEFA’s position, saying, “It is time for a full and robust review of FIFA’s leadership and governance to ensure that the global game is run transparently, for the benefit of all 211 member nations and with the long-term stewardship of football at its heart.”

The Dutch Football Association also said the process had caused “a fundamental breach of trust” in Infantino’s leadership.

The controversy has drawn political attention as well, with British Prime Minister Andy Burnham calling on Infantino to resign. Burnham said football “does not belong to investors” and argued that the proposed sale showed Infantino was “the wrong man to lead the organization.”

The investment proposal is reportedly backed by Thrive Capital, the investment firm founded by Joshua Kushner, whose family has close ties to US President Donald Trump.

The development has intensified scrutiny of Infantino’s increasingly close relationship with Trump, including FIFA’s decision to lease office space in Trump Tower and the creation of the FIFA Peace Prize, which was awarded to the US president.

US Congressman Jamie Raskin has launched an inquiry into FIFA’s dealings with the Trump administration, requesting records of communications, financial arrangements and documents related to the organization’s operations in the United States.

FIFA President Gianni Infantino had been widely expected to secure an unopposed third full term at the governing body's Congress in Rabat next March. However, while the 56-year-old is still seeking re-election, he could now face a challenger.

Infantino has received backing from more than 200 FIFA member associations, although those endorsements can be withdrawn. Prospective candidates have until Nov. 18 to declare their intention to run.

Among the names mentioned as possible challengers is Paris Saint-Germain President Nasser Al-Khelaifi, who also chairs the European Club Association. Other figures linked with a possible bid include CONCACAF President Victor Montagliani of Canada and Asian Football Confederation President Sheikh Salman bin Ibrahim Al Khalifa of Bahrain, who was defeated by Infantino in the 2016 FIFA presidential election.

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