FIFA president Gianni Infantino faces renewed internal pressure after senior figures within the organization publicly criticize his previously proposed plan to sell part of the World Cup. France 24 and other outlets report that FIFA secretary general Mattias Grafström and chief of global football development Arsène Wenger oppose the approach, following Infantino’s decision to scrap the project. France 24 says the criticism comes after Infantino’s plan was withdrawn and notes that his position could be challenged ahead of FIFA elections next March, where he was previously expected to run unopposed for a fourth term. Free Malaysia Today reports Wenger states that withdrawing the controversial proposal is “absolutely necessary and beyond question.” Japan Today and the Vancouver Sun also describe the situation as intensified pressure, with opposition emerging both from within FIFA and from external critics, though the reporting focuses on the same abandoned stake-sale plan. Across the coverage, the central points are that Infantino’s stake-selling proposal is no longer proceeding and that key FIFA officials publicly distance themselves from it, raising the prospect of wider political contestation inside FIFA.
Wenger and FIFA ally criticize Infantino after World Cup stake-sale plan is withdrawn
FIFA president Gianni Infantino faces renewed internal pressure after senior figures within the organization publicly criticize his previously proposed plan to sell part of the World Cup. France 24 an...
- FIFA president Gianni Infantino previously proposed selling a stake related to the World Cup.
- The plan is withdrawn and is no longer proceeding.
- Arsène Wenger, FIFA’s chief of global football development, criticizes the approach and backs withdrawing it.
- FIFA secretary general Mattias Grafström is reported to have also criticized Infantino’s plan.
- FIFA election campaigning next March is cited as a potential venue for renewed challenges to Infantino’s leadership.
Gianni Infantino is under renewed fire after two high ranking FIFA officials – secretary general Mattias Grafström & chief of global football development Arsene Wenger – criticised his now scrapped plan to sell off a stake in the World Cup. The FIFA president, who was expected to run unopposed, could now face fresh challenges when he vies for a fourth term next march. Story by Laurent Berstecher.
17 hours agoFifa's chief of global football development, Arsene Wenger, said withdrawing the controversial project was absolutely necessary and beyond question.
1 day agoPressure on FIFA president Gianni Infantino intensified on Tuesday, with opposition emerging from within world football's governing body as well as from external critics over his since-abandoned proposal…
1 day agoPressure on FIFA president Gianni Infantino intensified, with opposition emerging from within world football's governing body.
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