Gianni Infantino may be standing firm against calls for his resignation as things stand, but it remains to be seen whether the FIFA president lasts the test of time.
The 56-year-old has faced backlash ever since plans to sell stakes in the World Cup to private investors emerged. The proposal would have seen private investors buy a stake in FIFA’s commercial operations – including World Cup broadcast, sponsorship and licensing revenue in a deal reportedly worth around $20 billion.
Following instant backlash and the threat that several of Europe’s biggest countries would walk away, however, the proposal was quickly scrapped. FIFA released a statement on Wednesday revealing they had apologised to their members but insisting cries of corruption are off the mark.
“With the project withdrawn, it was agreed that FIFA will no longer tolerate any attacks on its integrity, good governance and due process and will take all necessary measures to protect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.”
Yet still, the criticism has continued. Several countries have publicly declared a lack of confidence in the FIFA chief while some former players, such as Luis Figo, have called for his resignation.
“Today I join others from across our game and call for Gianni Infantino to resign as FIFA President,” Figo said. “Infantino has debased the office 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.”
Gary Lineker sent Infantino scarily accurate warning years ago
REUTERS/Dylan Martinez
Gary Lineker is rarely afraid to speak his mind, and his warning shot from when Infantino first took the role in 2016 is a chilling reminder of just how transparent the FIFA president’s motives were.
The former England star cast his verdict when Infantino replaced the highly controversial Sepp Blatter, who received a six-year ban from football: “Come on Mr Infantino! You have a mandate to look after football’s best interests, not your own. Do not destroy the World Cup! Please.”
Earlier in the same year, the former BBC Match of the Day host joked: “Have this weird feeling that Gianni Infantino will pull off his mask to reveal Sepp Blatter.”
Ten years later, many believe Infantino has, indeed, come close to destroying the World Cup and the writing may well be on the wall for his FIFA presidency.
Will Gianni Infantino resign as FIFA president?
Infantino is not going out without a fight. Reports earlier this week claimed that the FIFA president has offered Morocco the World Cup final in exchange for their support – summing up his recent desperation.
Meanwhile, following a crisis meeting in Morocco, FIFA has released a statement in support of their president, who is refusing to step quit. The 56-year-old issued a groveling apology in the aftermath of his failed proposal to sell off the World Cup and currently remains in his position.
As support continues to fall, it remains to be seen whether Infantino’s refusal to step away lasts the test of time. A decade after previous FIFA president Blatter was forced to step away in disgrace, another could be following suit sooner rather than later.
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