FIFA President Gianni Infantino left unanswered questions over whether he would resign following the cancellation of the $20 billion plan to sell World Cup revenues or run for a 4th term next year. Watching the opening match of the Under-20 Women’s World Cup between Poland and Argentina with Cezary Kulesza, president of the Polish Football Association, Infantino said today was not the right time to discuss his future.
As the plan collapsed following resistance from FIFA member associations and executives, European countries dropped their boycott threat after receiving assurances that the initiative would not be brought back. However, legal challenges to the initial proposal are continuing. FIFA accused UEFA of waging a smear campaign against it.
Under the proposal reported by The Times in July, 20% of the affiliate that would manage broadcasting and commercial rights was to be given to investors led by a New York-based fund founded by Joshua Kushner, while $20 million was to be paid to each of FIFA’s 211 associations. Infantino abandoned the initiative within 4 days.
Why it matters
The withdrawal of the plan has opened a debate not only over how FIFA’s commercial rights should be managed but also over the balance of decision-making power within the organization. The reaction from member associations and European countries showed that FIFA’s leadership cannot pursue large-scale revenue projects solely on financial grounds; the lifting of the boycott threat indicates that the crisis has eased for now. Nevertheless, the continuation of legal challenges and FIFA’s accusation against UEFA show that tensions between the organizations have not ended. The key issue left unresolved is how this development will affect Infantino’s position as FIFA president and the uncertainty over his candidacy for the next term; current statements provide no indication on this matter.