FIFA closes ranks around Infantino as Figo demands exit

FIFA’s senior management have reaffirmed their support for Gianni Infantino after a crisis meeting in Morocco, while acknowledging that the process behind the abandoned FIFA Forward Enterprise proposal should have been handled differently.The governing body will conduct a review and report its findings to the FIFA Council, but its decision to defend Infantino and challenge attacks on its integrity risks deepening the confrontation with UEFA and other opponents.FIFA said: “The FIFA Secretary General and members of the FIFA Management Board in attendance reaffirmed their full support for FIFA President Gianni Infantino, as the only official elected by the 211 FIFA Member Associations.“In turn, the FIFA President reiterated his full support for the FIFA Secretary General and the FIFA Administration for their necessary and outstanding work in the delivery of his vision.”The meeting in Rabat was attended by Infantino, secretary general Mattias Grafström and members of the FIFA Management Board, with discussions focused on internal communication and decision-making following the collapse of the investment project.FIFA said: “It was discussed and agreed that the processes, communications and interactions between the FIFA President, the FIFA Secretary General and the FIFA Management Board that support the delivery of this vision can and should always be continuously improved in terms of their effectiveness and efficiency.”FIFA Forward Enterprise would have sold private investors about 20% of a new commercial entity containing rights connected to competitions including the men’s and women’s World Cups.The proposed US$4.2bn investment implied a valuation of approximately US$20bn and was intended to support a major increase in distributions to FIFA’s 211 member associations.Opposition from UEFA and other confederations forced FIFA to abandon the proposal, with critics questioning its accelerated timetable, limited consultation and the long-term implications of placing World Cup economics into a partly privately owned vehicle.FIFA acknowledged that the Council and member associations had been left feeling excluded, while accepting that further mistakes were made after details of the proposal became public.FIFA said: “The meeting also addressed the FIFA Forward Enterprise proposal, where mistakes made were acknowledged. It was agreed that it was not the intention for the FIFA Council and FIFA Member Associations to feel excluded from the process and that the process should have been handled differently.“It was further acknowledged that errors were also made after the proposal was leaked to media.”An apology has been sent to the FIFA Council and member associations, alongside a commitment to prevent a repeat, but FIFA maintained that the proposal complied with its regulatory framework.The organisation has also adopted a more confrontational position towards its critics now that the commercial plan has been withdrawn.FIFA said: “With the project withdrawn, it was agreed that FIFA will no longer tolerate any attacks on its integrity, good governance and due process and will take all necessary measures to protect and safeguard its name and reputation.”The response has not contained pressure on Infantino, with former Portugal captain and FIFA presidential candidate Figo becoming the latest senior football figure to demand his immediate resignation.Figo said: “I could write 10,000 words on the problems at FIFA. But the solution needs only three: Infantino must go.“I have loved football all my life. I was a professional player for 20 years. And believe me, I have met some rogues in my time in the game.“But what I have seen exposed in the last 10 days is the lowest, most deceitful and cravenly self-interested behaviour I have ever witnessed.”Figo accused Infantino of trying to force through major structural changes for personal and political benefit, adding to criticism from national associations, confederation leaders and senior FIFA personnel.Figo said: “Infantino has debased the office of FIFA President that he promised to elevate. He has lied, deceived and tried to feather his own nest at the expense of the game he is supposed to serve.“He has lost the support of his senior staff, his closest advisers and the vast majority of people who devote their lives to this sport. It is too late to save his dignity, but it is not too late to save football. He should go. Now.”The commercial risk is also moving beyond the abandoned investment transaction, with UEFA president Aleksander Čeferin expected to discuss a possible boycott of the 2029 FIFA Club World Cup with European Football Clubs chair Nasser Al-Khelaifi.Removing leading European teams would significantly weaken the tournament’s broadcast, sponsorship and ticketing value, while threatening one of FIFA’s principal growth assets during the next commercial cycle.FIFA’s management have said the Rabat meeting should strengthen governance and restore confidence, but the planned review, Figo’s intervention and the prospect of coordinated European action ensure that the dispute will continue beyond the withdrawal of FIFA Forward Enterprise.