Fifa president Gianni Infantino is meeting with senior leadership in Morocco this Wednesday as he deals with intense backlash regarding his now-defunct proposal to sell parts of the organization’s commercial operations. The emergency gathering in Rabat includes key figures like secretary general Mattias Grafstrom and finance head Thomas Peyer, as Infantino aims to consolidate his remaining support.
The controversy stems from a private investment plan that led to the resignation of his senior strategy adviser, Carlos Cordeiro. Cordeiro labeled the deal a threat to the future of the sport, echoing concerns from Uefa and various national associations that have recently withdrawn their backing for the president. Furthermore, Prince Ali of the Jordanian Football Association has publicly criticized the leadership, alleging that financial support was being used as leverage for re-election.
While some African nations have issued statements of support, Infantino faces a difficult path to recovery. High-ranking administrators, including Arsene Wenger and Kevin Lamour, have distanced themselves from the criticized project, suggesting it was developed without proper transparency. Even if Infantino avoids stepping down this week, he faces significant hurdles, including the potential for a formal no-confidence vote at an extraordinary congress or the emergence of a challenger like Concacaf president Victor Montagliani before the November deadline.
