Infantino leaves FIFA leadership future unresolved amid legal dispute
The FIFA president declined to say whether he would resign or seek a fourth term as pressure continues over an abandoned commercial-rights proposal and legal action involving UEFA.
FIFA president Gianni Infantino has refused to clarify whether he will resign or seek a fourth term, leaving the governing body’s leadership succession unresolved ahead of next year’s election.
Infantino was questioned by Sky News on Saturday after arriving at the Under-20 Women’s World Cup in Poland. He said there would be “a right place and a right time” to discuss his future, but added that the tournament was about enjoying football.
The questions follow the collapse of a proposed US$20 billion FIFA subsidiary that would have controlled commercial rights, including World Cup rights. The plan, which reportedly involved private investors, was withdrawn within four days of becoming public in July after opposition from member associations, UEFA, other confederations and senior FIFA officials.
European football nations reportedly abandoned a boycott threat after receiving assurances that the proposal would not be revived. Europe is also described as playing a leading role in efforts to remove Infantino before the next FIFA election.
Legal action connected to the proposal is continuing. FIFA has accused UEFA in court papers of conducting a “smear campaign against FIFA and its leadership”, while UEFA is seeking evidence related to the FIFA Forward Enterprise plan. The allegations and proceedings remain contested.
