FIFA president Gianni Infantino has called an emergency FIFA council to a gathering in Morocco after an aborted World Cup commercial plan has left him deeply vulnerable.
Gianni Infantino had faced severe criticism following a decision to scrap arrangements for the sale of partial stakes in a commercial body to run the game’s most lucrative activities to private entities following backlash against the scheme by member associations. Reports revealed it triggered anger at FIFA with secretary general Mattias Grafstrom – describing the failed plan as a “sad and reproachable series of events.”
The body’s top officer for global development, Arsene Wenger, moved to isolate himself from Infantino after he suggested the move would harm “transparency, sincerity and responsibility which characterize good governance in sport”.
Some UEFA members, as well as the Football Association of Wales, have said they lost confidence in the presidency, with England likely following. Jordanian football boss Prince Ali Bin Hussein has blasted Infantino – accusing him of “blackmail over his plan.” In addition, UEFA confirmed it’s preparing to take legal action.
Infantino has been met by support from many African nation football bodies as well as from Qatar, Kuwait, Lebanon, Sri Lanka and Indonesia, although sources said it’s not certain IF itll be enough.
The president, who is chasing re-election to an unnamed new term, will aim to use Morocco as a way to bring some calm to the organisation.
