Infantino Under Fire, But FIFA Still Won't Let Go as Emergency Meeting Ends with Full Support

FIFA has publicly backed president Gianni Infantino after an emergency leadership meeting in Morocco, attempting to restore confidence following the collapse of his controversial proposal to sell stakes in future World Cup revenues through a commercial entity. While the governing body admitted mistakes in handling the plan, it insisted that its senior leadership remains united behind Infantino despite mounting criticism from football stakeholders across the globe.

In a statement issued after the meeting in Rabat, FIFA said Secretary General Mattias Grafström and members of the management board reaffirmed their full support for Infantino's leadership. The organisation also confirmed that the proposed FIFA Forward Enterprise (FFE) project has been permanently shelved after triggering widespread opposition.

FIFA acknowledged that the process surrounding the proposal was mishandled and revealed that an apology had been sent to the FIFA Council and member associations. The governing body promised to improve its internal decision-making procedures and avoid similar controversies in the future.

The backing comes at a time when pressure on Infantino continues to intensify. The association of European Leagues, representing major competitions including the Premier League, La Liga and Serie A, demanded sweeping governance reforms, describing the abandoned proposal as "dangerous" and evidence of deeper issues within FIFA's leadership structure. The group also opposed any further expansion of FIFA competitions, including reports of a 64-team World Cup, arguing that major decisions should involve broader consultation with football stakeholders.

Criticism has also come from prominent figures within and outside football. Portugal legend Luis Figo urged Infantino to resign, claiming the FIFA president had damaged the credibility of the office. Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney also questioned Infantino's leadership, saying he had lost confidence in the FIFA chief over what he called a serious governance failure.

FIFA also dismissed reports suggesting Infantino had promised Morocco the hosting rights for the 2030 FIFA World Cup final in exchange for political support, calling such claims "false and misleading." The final venue for the tournament, which will be jointly hosted by Spain, Portugal and Morocco, is yet to be decided.

The controversy has exposed growing divisions within world football, with several senior officials distancing themselves from the failed proposal. As Infantino prepares to seek a fourth and final term in the FIFA presidential election next March, the latest crisis has raised fresh questions about governance, transparency and the future direction of world football.