FIFA President Infantino Withdraws Controversial Private Equity Proposal Amid UEFA Pressure

FIFA President Gianni Infantino has officially withdrawn his controversial plan to sell shares of FIFA tournaments to private equity firms following significant backlash from UEFA and other football confederations. The announcement came early Saturday, as reported by multiple sources, marking a critical development in the ongoing leadership crisis within FIFA.

UEFA, representing 55 national federations, has demanded Infantino's resignation or called for a confidence vote during a special FIFA congress that could be convened if 20% of FIFA's 211 member associations support it. The European body sharply criticized FIFA's leadership for secretive decision-making and a lack of accountability. Concacaf, with 41 member nations from North and Central America and the Caribbean, echoed UEFA’s concerns, describing the proposal as indicative of a leadership that prioritizes questionable financial maneuvers over the sport.

Simon Åström, chairman of the Swedish Football Association, welcomed Infantino's decision to retract the proposal but emphasized that serious governance and transparency issues persist within FIFA and the wider football management structure. He highlighted the need for continued conversations on improving football governance.

The Danish Football Association also voiced a loss of trust in Infantino’s leadership, adding momentum to UEFA’s call for a vote of confidence. Meanwhile, Morocco, one of the 2030 World Cup hosts, supported Infantino but appreciated the withdrawal of the plan.

Infantino has been FIFA president since 2016 and is eligible for re-election in 2027, having previously secured significant support from federations across Africa, South America, and Asia. Despite the withdrawal of this controversial proposal, the episode reveals deep fractures in FIFA’s governance and the football community's waning trust in its leadership.