The world football governing body, FIFA, has thrown its support behind President Gianni Infantino following widespread criticism over a now-abandoned proposal to introduce private investment into the commercial management of the FIFA World Cup.
The organisation also issued an apology over the controversial plan, which had sparked strong opposition from stakeholders, particularly European football governing body, UEFA.
UEFA had described the proposal as a “shabby, back-room, opaque deal” allegedly championed by Infantino, arguing that it lacked transparency and proper consultation with football stakeholders.
The proposed initiative sought to attract private investment into a company that would oversee the commercial operations of FIFA tournaments, including the World Cup. However, the plan was shelved after mounting criticism from football administrators and confederations.
Despite the backlash, FIFA’s leadership reaffirmed its confidence in Infantino, maintaining that the proposal was intended to strengthen the commercial future of its competitions.
The development comes amid increasing scrutiny of FIFA’s governance and decision-making processes as preparations continue for future international tournaments.