Uefa ‘considering options’ over Infantino’s Fifa presidency after World Cup investment plan abandoned
· Yahoo Sports
Gianni Infantino’s leadership at Fifa has been "badly shaken", according to Uefa’s vice president, after the football chief abandoned a controversial plan to sell off shares in the World Cup.
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Mr Infantino reversed his position following significant backlash against the investment scheme, which had been rejected by three continental confederations. Uefa had even warned that its member nations would boycott Fifa events if the proposal went ahead.
The contentious plan involved selling stakes in a new company that would oversee the commercial and operational aspects of major competitions, including both the men’s and women’s World Cups.
Early on Saturday, Mr Infantino confirmed that "this proposal will not proceed", acknowledging that the project had "created divisions" within the organisation.
Prime minister Andy Burnham had previously labelled the plans "outrageous", asserting that their introduction made it clear Mr Infantino was "the wrong man to lead the organisation".
The scheme also triggered high-level opposition within Fifa itself, leading to the resignations of Mr Infantino’s senior adviser, Carlos Cordeiro, and chief operating officer, Kevin Lamour, who described it in a statement as "a project of one person".
Early on Saturday, Mr Infantino confirmed that "this proposal will not proceed", acknowledging that the project had "created divisions" within the organisation. (PA Wire)It is not clear whether Mr Infantino’s U-turn would alleviate pressure over his position, with Uefa vice president Laura McAllister saying Uefa would be “considering options” now.
She stopped short of saying the Fifa president should resign over the matter.
She told BBC Radio 4’s Today programme: “It’s not for me to speak for Uefa at this moment in time, but I think trust in the president of Fifa has been badly shaken this week, without a doubt, and I think quite rightly, people will ask questions about whether he is the leader to take us forward as a global football organisation.
“Because we have to stick to the ethical principles of sustainability, fair play, and accessibility to football that really motivate us all. So I think those are the questions that all of us involved in football will be asking now.”
It is not clear whether Mr Infantino’s U-turn would alleviate pressure over his position, with Uefa vice president Laura McAllister saying Uefa would be ‘considering options’ now (Getty)Asked if she could envision circumstances in which Uefa might find a challenger to him to stand against him, she said: “I think all of the confederations would be considering options now for sure, and we’ll certainly be doing that in Uefa.
“But you know, it’s a democratic election. If people want to stand, they will, and there will be moves, I’m sure, to encourage people to stand. But I think it’s early days yet.”
She later added: “Interestingly, I don’t think the sport of football is damaged by what’s happened this week. I think Fifa as an organisation, is, and I think the president is.”
Mr Infantino said in his statement: “Having listened carefully to all the views, it has become clear that the project has created divisions of a nature that, regardless of the level of support, are no longer in the interest of the objective set out in the first place.
“Our purpose has always been – and will always be – to unite and improve.
“As a result, this proposal will not proceed.
“Moving forward, my intent is to bring all interested parties back together in the coming days and weeks in the spirit of shared interest in our game, and with the objective to continue growing football everywhere, particularly in those countries that mostly need our support.”