UEFA and other football confederations continue to criticize FIFA president Gianni Infantino after he drops a plan to involve private investors in a new commercial venture connected to World Cup rights. Multiple outlets report UEFA has signaled it has lost confidence in FIFA’s leadership, with the fallout continuing despite Infantino’s decision to scrap the proposal.

Sources also describe the plan as involving the sale of minority stakes and attracting a broad backlash. UEFA, CONMEBOL, CONCACAF and AFC use strong language such as “deception” and “fundamental breach of trust,” framing the issue as a failure in judgment and process rather than only communication. In contrast, FIFA defended Infantino, saying the criticism is aimed at undermining him, and Infantino is reported to have apologized regarding how the proposal was handled.

While headlines vary in emphasis—some foreground “lost confidence” and potential leadership consequences, others focus on accusations of “back-room,” “opaque” or “shabby” dealing—sources broadly agree on the core sequence: the investor scheme faces heavy opposition, Infantino abandons it, and European and regional governing bodies react by escalating their public criticism.