Fifa president Gianni Infantino has been questioned by the BBC about his backing and whether he will resign, after facing multiple calls to quit over an aborted attempt to sell private stakes in the World Cup.
Key facts
- The BBC questioned Fifa president Gianni Infantino over his backing to remain in the role.
- The BBC also directly asked Infantino whether he will resign.
- Infantino has faced multiple calls to quit.
- The calls follow an aborted attempt to sell private stakes in the World Cup.
Gianni Infantino, the head of world football’s governing body Fifa, has been questioned by the BBC over his position and whether he intends to remain as president. In footage published by the BBC, the broadcaster pressed Infantino on the level of backing he has to continue in the role.
According to the BBC, the questions come after Infantino faced multiple calls to quit. In a separate clip, the broadcaster asked the Fifa president directly whether he will resign.
The BBC reports that the pressure on Infantino follows an aborted attempt to sell private stakes in the World Cup. The plan, which did not proceed, has drawn scrutiny of his leadership of the organisation.
The two pieces of BBC video, published within hours of each other, focus on Infantino’s future at the top of Fifa. The first questioned him over his backing as president, while the second asked whether he would step down.
The source material does not detail Infantino’s specific responses to the questions, the identities of those calling for him to quit, or further specifics of the abandoned stake sale. Fifa oversees the World Cup and the global governance of football.
Why it matters
Fifa is the governing body for global football and organiser of the World Cup, so questions over its president's future carry significance for the sport and its commercial interests. Calls for Infantino to quit, tied to a plan to sell private stakes in the tournament, raise concerns about how the game's flagship event is managed.
Frequently asked questions
Why is Gianni Infantino facing calls to quit?
According to the BBC, Infantino has faced multiple calls to quit following an aborted attempt to sell private stakes in the World Cup.
Has Infantino said he will resign?
The BBC asked Infantino directly whether he will resign, but the source material does not detail his response.
What was the plan involving the World Cup?
The BBC reports there was an aborted attempt to sell private stakes in the World Cup, though further specifics are not provided in the sources.