In brief
After a last‑minute emergency meeting in Rabat, FIFA’s board backed president Gianni Infantino, who faced mounting criticism for a failed attempt to bring private investors into the sport. The governing body conceded mistakes in the planning and leakage of the FFE proposal, offering an apology and a promise of review. While UEFA and internal officials warned of lost confidence, FIFA’s council reaffirmed its support, stating it will safeguard its integrity and reputation. The controversy also includes a denied claim that Infantino had secured the 2030 World Cup final for Morocco.
In a dramatic turn of events, FIFA’s top executive Gianni Infantino retained his position after a crisis meeting in Rabat, Morocco, where senior board members expressed dissatisfaction with his handling of the FFE proposal.
The meeting followed a controversial attempt by Infantino to sell stakes in FIFA competitions to private investors, a move that drew sharp criticism from UEFA and internal officials alike. At the same time, FIFA publicly acknowledged that the “mistakes” surrounding the FFE strategy had caused members associations to feel excluded and upset.
Key points of the unfolding saga:
- Infantino offered national associations £30m (£40m) to back FFE, a new private‑investment subsidiary.
- The FFE proposal was described by UEFA as a “shabby, back‑room, opaque deal.”
- Secretary‑General Mattias Grofstrom, present at the Rabat session, released an internal memo calling the sequence of events “sad and reproachable.”
- Within hours, the board thanked Infantino and reaffirmed full support, prompting a FIFA statement of apology and a commitment to review.
- FIFA dismissed a rumor that Infantino had promised Morocco the 2030 World Cup final in exchange for endorsement, labeling it “false and misleading.”
Although infighting and allegations of mismanagement continued, the immediate outcome saw Infantino maintain his presidency, with all parties claiming to prioritize the integrity and governance of the sport.
Image: Gianni Infantino before a World Cup 2026 Group D match.
