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European soccer says it has lost confidence in FIFA chief Gianni Infantino as investment plan scrapped
cbsnews.com • • general
Key Points:
- FIFA President Gianni Infantino's plan to sell World Cup profits to private investors was scrapped after widespread backlash from UEFA, CONCACAF, and the Asian Football Confederation, as well as internal dissent within FIFA.
- UEFA, led by President Aleksander Čeferin, condemned Infantino's secretive approach and loss of confidence, signaling a push to hold those responsible accountable and prevent similar future schemes.
- Infantino's senior adviser Carlos Cordeiro resigned in protest, and FIFA's chief operating officer Kevin Lamour publicly criticized the project as the initiative of one person, calling for football leaders to reconsider FIFA's leadership.
- The failed $20 billion spinoff plan, backed by an investment firm linked to Joshua Kushner, was seen as a move to extend Infantino's influence beyond his current term, but it has instead intensified calls for his removal.
- With the FIFA presidential election deadline approaching on November 18, UEFA and other confederations' opposition suggests a significant challenge to Infantino’s bid for another term in office.
