Gianni Infantino remains Fifa president after after receiving the backing of senior executives in a meeting in Morocco, where he apologised for "errors" he made
Infantino's position has been under scrutiny since the controversial plan to sell stakes in its competitions to private investors - see a full timeline of the story here
Fifa statement: "The Fifa Management Board in attendance reaffirmed their full support for Fifa President Gianni Infantino"
Infantino looks set to fight for re-election for a fourth term and will need 106 votes from Fifa's 211 members to win
After emergency talks were held at Fifa's Africa office, Infantino continued with his duties as Fifa president and attended last night's Women's Africa Cup of Nations match between Malawi and Zambia.
He was pictured leaving the Stade El Barid in Rabat, Morocco after the game.
Image source, Getty Images
Image source, Getty Images
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So this is a put up or shut up to UEFA, I’d say. Over to you UEFA…
Michael, Brighton
He has presided over the worst two world cups in my memory (only back as far as 1970 to be fair). I will give him the doubt that he has done his best, unfortunately he has been promoted beyond his level of competence…these things happen….just leave with dignity
Peter, Sussex
UEFA, Concacaf and Asia need to bond together and force him out now, not wait until the vote next year.
Mark, London
FIFA
Following a meeting in Rabat, Morocco, 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.
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.
The great work of the Fifa Administration that ensured a successful delivery of the Fifa World Cup 2026™ was acknowledged, and which would not have been possible without the Fifa President, the Fifa Secretary General and Fifa Administration speaking as one voice and working as one team.
In this regard, Fifa’s top management is fully confident that the outcomes of today's meeting will strengthen Fifa's governance, help restore confidence in the organisation and enable us to prepare for the major events and challenges ahead in a united and transparent manner while continuing our mission to develop the game around the world.
The meeting also addressed the Fifa Forward Enterprise (FFE) 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.
In a separate letter to the Fifa Council and Fifa Member Associations, an apology was made for these errors together with a commitment to ensure they do not happen again. A review will now be conducted, and a report will be presented to the Fifa Council at its next scheduled meeting.
As previously communicated, the FFE proposal, which would have been subject to the approval of the Fifa Member Associations and the Fifa Council, is now off the table. 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. There are always lessons to be learned, and Fifa will continue to improve its processes in light of this experience. In this instance, however, it is important to stress that, although mistakes were made, everything that was done was done in full compliance with the Fifa regulatory framework.
Fifa will work closely with the relevant stakeholders to examine how it can further support the development of the game through the Fifa Forward programme for the benefit of Fifa’s 211 Member Associations, the Confederations and the Regional Associations.
Wednesday, 5 August
Image source, Getty ImagesFormer Barcelona, Real Madrid and Portugal winger Luis Figo, who ran for the Fifa presidency against Gianni Infantino's predecessor Sepp Blatter in 2015 before withdrawing, called on him to immediately resign.
He 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.
"The man who would do that - the man who would try to force through such major changes just to enrich himself and his friends - is a relic of the game’s past and should have no part in its future.
"He has lost the support of his senior staff, his closest advisers, the vast majority of people who devote their lives to this sport and even, it would seem, the FIFA Peace Prize winner.
"It is too late to save his dignity but it is not too late to save football. He should go. Now."
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This is a joke. UEFA should withdraw all it's teams until Infantino resigns or put up a strong candidate for election.
Stephen, Poole
Echoes of the Super League fiasco. The game has already sold its soul, largely to US private equity. The PL heading for US monopoly. Initiatives like this will come again. Well past time for fans to embrace non-league
Peter, Kent
An absolute disgrace he’s kept his job for now, it seems they have their own rules and above everyone else.
Derek, Doncaster
Image source, Getty ImagesFormer Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger, who plays an important role at Fifa since joining in 2019, had this to say about Gianni Infantino's plans.
He said: "The recent events at Fifa deserve some clarity from my side. At Fifa, I am the Chief of Global Football Development. Together with my team, I oversee the data analysis of the game, the Fifa online training centre, the development of youth education through 60 academies across 60 countries where they are most needed, and youth competitions around the world.
“In addition, I am a technical adviser to IFAB.I was not involved in this strategic plan and first became aware of the project through media reports.
“The decision to withdraw the project was absolutely necessary and beyond question, because I firmly believe in an independent Fifa that serves our game with commitment, transparency, and integrity.”
Image source, Getty ImagesInfantino's proposal has deepened his ongoing conflict with European governing body Uefa - the most powerful and wealthy regional organiser.
Uefa President Aleksander Ceferin boycotted the World Cup final in protest against Fifa's decision to overturn USA striker Folarin Balogun's suspension after an intervention from Trump.
That followed a series of Uefa announcements making clear it would not follow Fifa policy on controversial issues including dynamic ticket pricing and hydration breaks.
One of the cornerstones of the division between the two is that Fifa's revamped and expanded Club World Cup has become a clear, direct threat to Uefa's Champions League.
Some reports indicate a threat by European nations to boycott the World Cup could be possible. The theory is that a World Cup without European countries would severely compromise the tournament's value to Fifa - but the chances of that coming to pass are debatable.
Europe is one of the main hosts of the next tournament in 2030, with Spain and Portugal holding the majority of matches alongside Morocco, and Spain is currently lobbying hard to win the right to host the final ahead of Morocco.
There is also a women's World Cup next year in Brazil, which could be an early target for any action, if Uefa does want to take a bold step of its own.
Uefa could potentially find and field a candidate to stand against Infantino in next year's presidential election, but given Uefa nations comprise only 55 votes, they would be unlikely to win.
McAllister is proud Wales were the first home nation to withdraw backing for Infantino.
Monday, 3 August
Tuesday, 4 August
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I give it 6 months and he'll try something similar again. He isn't sorry for what he's done, he's sorry he got caught. I never thought I'd want Blatter back!
Tom, Chertsey
Infantino may have retained the confidence of the Executive Committee but he has lost any remaining confidence that the footballing public has for him and that should be what he focuses on. He should have done the decent thing and walked but we knew that wouldn't happen.
Carl, Wiltshire
Image source, Getty ImagesFormer FIFA president Sepp Blatter was among those who criticised FIFA's plan.
He said: "The Fifa is not a private equity fund. It is an association with statutes, regulations, and a fiduciary responsibility to protect the global game. If you sell football's crown jewels to private investors, you also sell part of the game – especially its soul. Money matters, but it must never become everything."
Infantino became president of Fifa in 2016 following the resignation of predecessor Blatter.
Image source, Getty ImagesAnnouncing he had scrapped the controversial plan to sell off stakes in World Cup and other competitions, Fifa president Gianni Infantino said it had become clear the project had "created divisions" that are "no longer in the interest" of its original objective.
The Swiss official added: "As a result, this proposal will not proceed. Our purpose has always been - and will always be - to unite and improve.
"Moving forward, my intent is to bring all interested parties back together in the coming days and weeks in the spirit of shared interest in our game."
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The chief executives meeting in Rabat should have the courage of their convictions and speak out or resign or both rather than providing a shield for Infantino to hide behind.
Gennaro, Warwick
Why? That's all we want to know!! Why has this man retained his status & job! He's obviously a stain on the reputation of football. His remaining presence puts the 'beautiful game' to shame.
Lesley, Derbyshire
He thought he could raid the cookie jar without getting caught. He will do it again another way, there's too much money to be made for him and Trump to let it go.
Gemma, USA
How does Fifa make decisions?
Saturday, 1 August
Image source, Getty ImagesFifa would have received a huge influx of cash in one go if the plan was approved. Each World Cup makes significantly more money than the last - it will probably be worth far more in four years, and four years after that, than it is now.
If Fifa sold stakes now, then the private investors will share in the rewards of that growth in the coming years, rather than Fifa and football doing so alone.
Fifa is a non-profit organisation under Swiss law, meaning its ultimate goal is - theoretically, at least - the long-term wellbeing of football rather than making a profit.
The big winners from the plan, then, would arguably be some of the smaller football nations, the private investors, and Infantino.
Private equity investment has already transformed sports in the US.
Rules have been changed in baseball, basketball, American football and ice hockey to allow for more minority investments in the past decade, causing team values to skyrocket.
La Liga and Ligue 1 have already sold portions of their operations to private equity firm CVC Capital Partners in exchange for an immediate influx of money.
Infantino hopped on a trend in sports economics rather than trying out something entirely new.
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Infantino loved the limelight in the run up to the World Cup and allowed it to inflate his ego even more. He clearly thought he would be able to get away with this with little resistance. He cannot stay or it will damage FIFA's image even more
Daniel, Northern Ireland
Infantino has clearly demonstrated that he is Not Fit for Purpose. How he can be allowed to continue as President of FIFA speaks volumes about both him and those who voted to keep him. It is Cronyism at its worst.
Anthony, London
Exactly what everyone knew would happen at this meeting. Why do these people have no moral compass and understand their time is up. FIFA needs change and needs it now
Paul, Suffolk
Image source, Getty ImagesUK Prime Minister Andy Burnham said last week going ahead with the idea would mean Fifa had "sold out".
He wrote on X: "Let me say this very directly. Football does not belong to investors. It belongs to the people who fill the stands and who stand on the touchline week in, week out, rain or shine.
"The World Cup is not a product. It is the greatest competition in world sport, and it was never anyone's to sell. Dress the deal up however you like. Once you have sold a piece of it, you have sold out.
"Football belongs to the fans. It always has, and it always will."
Image source, Getty ImagesThursday, 30 July
Friday, 31 July
We are asking you: Should Gianni Infantino remain Fifa president?
Cast your vote in the poll at the top of this page and let us know what you think.
Image source, Getty ImagesGianni Infantino wrote to all 211 member associations saying they would receive $40m (£30m) if they backed his controversial plan to sell off stakes in its major competitions.
Infantino has signed a five-page letter outlining the merits of his proposal, stating that if member associations respond positively by the deadline, $20m would be "available immediately" from 1 January.
In a video later released by Fifa, Infantino defended the plans, calling them "an offer, not an obligation".
"It's part of a democratic process - a consultation process - and, above all, it is an opportunity but not an obligation," he added. "It is a golden opportunity to turbocharge the development of the game globally."
