FIFA has confirmed that Gianni Infantino will remain its president following a crisis meeting of senior executives in Rabat, Morocco, after backlash over a failed plan to sell stakes in the World Cup.
Key facts
- FIFA confirmed on Wednesday night that Infantino will remain president.
- The decision followed a crisis meeting of senior executives in Rabat, Morocco.
- Infantino sent written apologies to the FIFA council and all 211 member associations.
- The apologies were for failing to consult members over a World Cup sell-off.
- Senior staff at the meeting reaffirmed their full support for his presidency.
Gianni Infantino will remain as president of FIFA, the world football governing body confirmed on Wednesday night, following a crisis meeting of its senior executives in Rabat, Morocco.
In a statement, FIFA said Infantino retains the full support of his leadership team. According to the Guardian, the statement also revealed that Infantino has sent written apologies to the FIFA council and to the organisation’s 211 member associations.
The apologies related to Infantino’s failure to consult members over a plan to sell stakes in the World Cup, a proposal that has since become the focus of internal controversy.
NPR reported that FIFA said it had apologised for errors made over Infantino’s failed plan to sell stakes in the World Cup, and that senior staff who attended the crisis meeting in Morocco “reaffirmed their full support” for his presidency.
The confirmation appears intended to draw a line under a period of internal turbulence for the FIFA leadership, with the governing body emphasising unity behind Infantino despite the acknowledged missteps over the World Cup sell-off.
Why it matters
FIFA governs the world's most popular sport and its decisions affect billions of fans and the 211 national associations under its umbrella. A public apology combined with a reaffirmation of leadership signals how the organisation is handling internal disputes over the commercialisation of the World Cup.
Frequently asked questions
Will Gianni Infantino remain FIFA president?
Yes. FIFA confirmed on Wednesday night that Infantino will remain as president after a crisis meeting of senior executives in Rabat, Morocco.
Why did Infantino apologise?
According to the Guardian, Infantino sent written apologies to the FIFA council and the 211 member associations for failing to consult them over a plan to sell stakes in the World Cup.
Who supported Infantino at the meeting?
FIFA said Infantino retains the full support of his leadership team, and NPR reported that senior staff at the Morocco meeting reaffirmed their full support for his presidency.