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US President Donald Trump has warned that it would be a “terrible mistake” for FIFA to remove president Gianni Infantino from his position.

Trump’s comments come after UEFA, Concacaf and the Asian Football Confederation issued an open letter accusing Infantino of breaking their trust “through deception” over his proposed FIFA Forward Enterprise (FFE).

The FFE plan would have involved creating a new company to manage the commercial and ticketing rights for FIFA competitions, including the World Cup. Under the proposal, a 21% stake in the company would have been sold to a private investment group.

“FIFA would be making a terrible mistake if, for any reason, they even considered replacing president Gianni Infantino,” Trump wrote on social media.

“He is fantastic, having just presided over the most successful World Cup, by four times, ever presented. If he is gone, it will never be as successful or profitable again.”

The 2026 World Cup was co-hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico, with Spain winning the tournament after defeating Argentina in the final.

Trump’s latest remarks mark his strongest public defence of Infantino since details of the FFE proposal emerged on 28 July. When he first addressed the issue on 31 July, Trump said he had not discussed the proposal with Infantino.

Thrive Capital, the US venture capital firm founded by Joshua Kushner, was expected to lead the proposed investment group. Kushner is the brother of Jared Kushner, Trump’s son-in-law.

The FFE proposal was ultimately abandoned, but the controversy has intensified scrutiny of Infantino’s leadership and FIFA’s plans for managing its lucrative commercial rights.

Amazon founder Jeff Bezos is reportedly part of a consortium that is close to acquiring a significant minority stake in Liverpool Football Club.

According to Sky News, the consortium, led by British-Indian businessman Amit Bhatia, is nearing a deal to purchase roughly one-third of the Premier League club from current owners Fenway Sports Group (FSG).

FSG confirmed last month that it had been approached by Bhatia’s investment group, which includes Bezos and Facebook co-founder Eduardo Saverin.

An FSG spokesperson said: “An investment consortium led, managed, and represented by Amit Bhatia has expressed interest in making a strategic minority investment in Liverpool Football Club.”

Sky News reports that an announcement could be made in the coming days. The proposed transaction could value Liverpool at approximately £4.5 billion ($6 billion).

Bezos, whose wealth is estimated at around $257 billion, has previously explored opportunities to invest in professional sports. Last year, he considered bids for the NFL’s Seattle Seahawks and Washington Commanders but ultimately did not pursue either deal.

Bhatia, a British-Indian millionaire and former co-owner of Queens Park Rangers, is the son-in-law of billionaire steel magnate Lakshmi Mittal. He confirmed his departure from QPR’s board last month, around the same time FSG acknowledged discussions with his consortium.

FSG acquired Liverpool in 2010 for around £300 million, when the club was facing significant financial difficulties. Since then, Liverpool have won two Premier League titles and the UEFA Champions League, while also benefiting from major investment in Anfield and the club’s training facilities.

FSG also owns the Boston Red Sox and sold a minority stake in Liverpool to investment firm Dynasty in 2023. That investment provided the club with additional capital following the pandemic but was not intended to fund future player transfers.

If completed, the proposed deal would give Bezos and his fellow investors a substantial financial interest in one of the world’s most valuable and successful football clubs, while FSG would retain overall control of Liverpool.

Twice in World Cup history, FIFA has overturned a red-card suspension. Both times, a head of state made a call. The question is not simply whether the reversals were justified, but how far sport’s justice system can be pushed before it stops looking like justice.


Folarin Balogun, sent off for a foul on Bosnia and Herzegovina’s Tarik Muharemović, was cleared to face Belgium after FIFA’s Disciplinary Committee invoked Article 27 of the FIFA Disciplinary Code. His one-match suspension was suspended for a year and replaced with a $40,000 fine. On paper, a technical ruling. In practice, one of the tournament’s defining controversies.

There was a striking precedent. In 1962, Brazil’s Garrincha was sent off in a World Cup semi-final for kicking a Chilean opponent. FIFA overturned the suspension, allowing him to play in the final, which Brazil won. Political pressure accompanied the decision: Chile’s president cosigned a petition seeking clemency, while Peru’s president reportedly called the referee to play down the incident. Sixty-four years later, football appeared to find itself in much the same place.

 


Trump and Balogun

The controversy over Balogun was not merely the outcome, but the process. Reports suggested the disciplinary chair acted alone, without other committee members normally expected in a case of such significance. More troublingly, U.S. President Donald Trump confirmed that he personally called FIFA requesting a review. FIFA’s president acknowledged the call but maintained that it did not influence the decision.


Whether FIFA was actually influenced is almost beside the point. Once a head of state is known to have lobbied a governing body while a case is pending, and to have secured a favourable decision through a rarely used route, the appearance of interference is already damaging. Belgium lodged a formal complaint, and other federations soon began citing the Balogun ruling in seeking leniency in their own cases. One exception can quickly unsettle an entire disciplinary framework.

The issue is therefore bigger than whether Balogun deserved his suspension. That is a football question. The sharper question is whether sporting justice can remain credible once it appears to bend towards political pressure rather than legal principle.

 

Why Independence Isn’t Optional

A disciplinary body has one fundamental obligation: to apply the rules consistently, regardless of who is watching. Once outside pressure begins shaping outcomes, the institution risks ceasing to be a judicial body and becoming a negotiating table. And negotiating tables do not command the respect courts do.

Remove independence, even in one high-profile case, and the consequences spread. Athletes doubt that sanctions are evenly applied. Clubs question whether outcomes reflect rules or influence. Fans wonder whether results are earned on the pitch or settled off it. Eventually, the competition itself loses legitimacy.

Sports justice should not be held to a lower standard than “real” justice merely because games rather than liberty are at stake. A disciplinary panel considering a red card is still performing a judicial function: applying a code to facts through a prescribed process and producing a binding outcome. Compromise that function, and it becomes discretion wearing justice’s clothes.

 

What FIFA’s Own Rules Say

FIFA does not need to invent a standard for independence. It has already been written once.

Its Statutes require member associations to manage their affairs independently and without outside influence. They demand political neutrality and processes that guarantee the independence of internal bodies. These principles are not decorative. FIFA has suspended national federations, including Nigeria, Kuwait and India, when governments crossed the line.

Strictly speaking, those provisions apply primarily to member associations rather than FIFA’s own disciplinary committees. But the principle is difficult to escape: FIFA cannot demand independence from institutions beneath it while appearing comfortable with political pressure directed at itself.

The FIFA Code of Ethics goes further, requiring integrity, independence, objectivity and freedom from conflicts of interest. The problem is not limited to proving that someone was actually influenced. The appearance of compromised judgment matters because confidence in justice depends on both reality and perception.

The Disciplinary Code itself is grounded in due process, including the right to be heard, appeal rights and proportionality. Article 27 gives FIFA discretion to suspend sanctions, but discretion must operate within procedural safeguards. Discretion is not the problem; discretion exercised outside its protections is.

 

Five Guarantees Every Athlete Is Owed

Across FIFA’s Disciplinary Code, the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) framework and wider principles of due process, five basic guarantees emerge:

Clear notice of the allegations.
A genuine opportunity to respond before a decision.
An impartial tribunal is protected from outside pressure.
A reasoned decision capable of scrutiny and challenge.
A meaningful right of appeal, insulated where possible from pressure affecting the original decision.
These principles extend beyond FIFA. Wherever disciplinary power exists, fairness must accompany it.

CAS Had to Earn Its Independence Too

The Court of Arbitration for Sport was created in the 1980s, in part, to address the uncomfortable problem of sporting federations effectively adjudicating their own disputes. But CAS itself had to prove its independence.

In Gundel v FEI in 1993, questions arose over whether CAS was too closely connected to the International Olympic Committee to be genuinely independent. Although the Swiss Federal Tribunal upheld CAS, the scrutiny triggered important reforms, including the creation of the International Council of Arbitration for Sport to provide greater institutional separation.

The issue returned in Mutu and Pechstein v Switzerland. The European Court of Human Rights accepted CAS as sufficiently independent, while finding that Claudia Pechstein had wrongly been denied a public hearing in proceedings affecting her livelihood. The lesson was clear: institutional independence matters, but so do procedural guarantees.

 

FIFA Has Punished Political Interference Before

FIFA’s history makes the Balogun controversy particularly uncomfortable.

Nigeria was suspended in 2014 after government intervention in the Nigeria Football Federation. Kuwait endured a roughly two-year suspension after legislation interfered with federation independence. India was suspended in 2022 after a court-appointed committee took control of its federation. Pakistan was suspended twice, in 2017 and 2021, for undue third-party interference.

FIFA’s response was severe: entire countries, athletes included, were excluded rather than allow political interference to stand. That is the standard against which the Balogun controversy deserves to be judged.

 

The Difficult Balance

Should political leaders remain silent when sporting decisions affect national interests? Probably not. Public disappointment and criticism are inevitable.

But there is a meaningful difference between criticising a decision and directly contacting the governing body while that decision is being considered. Ordinary legal systems recognise the distinction: criticising a judgment afterwards is legitimate public discourse; calling the judge while the case is pending is something altogether different.

Sporting integrity is tested precisely in difficult moments — when the caller is powerful, the tournament politically important, and the price of saying no considerable. If independence survives only when no one important challenges it, then it was never really independence. It was convenient to wear Independence’s clothes.

Conclusion

Sport derives its legitimacy not merely from the rules of the game, but from confidence that those rules are applied fairly. A decision’s popularity should matter far less than whether it was reached independently, transparently and according to established law and procedure.

That is why the Balogun controversy reaches beyond one red card, one footballer or one World Cup match.

Once politics begins shaping — or appears capable of shaping — sporting justice, the greatest casualty may not be the player who is suspended or cleared.

It may be the game’s credibility.

By Abdulhakeem Damilare Orovwuje, a legal practitioner with an interest in sports law and dispute resolution, lives in Agbado, Lagos

FIFA has accused some of its critics of carrying out a coordinated campaign to weaken the organisation and force out president Gianni Infantino.

The governing body issued the statement after a report by the *Daily Telegraph* made allegations concerning Infantino's private life. The newspaper reported that a woman allegedly involved in an affair with Infantino while he was UEFA general secretary later received a severance payment from UEFA.

Infantino has strongly rejected the allegations, with FIFA describing the claims as "categorically untrue". The organisation also criticised what it called speculation, misinformation and claims that have not been properly substantiated.

The dispute comes as Infantino faces increasing opposition from European football authorities following the collapse of his proposed FIFA Forward Enterprise (FFE). The plan would have established a new company responsible for commercial and ticketing rights, with a 21% stake potentially being sold to a private investment firm.

UEFA has publicly stated that it no longer has confidence in Infantino and has warned that a boycott of FIFA competitions remains possible. The European governing body has also said it has yet to receive guarantees that the FFE proposal cannot be brought back in another form.

Opposition has grown beyond UEFA, with Norwegian Football Federation president Lise Klaveness calling on Infantino to step down.

FIFA, however, insists that Infantino continues to have a legitimate mandate after being elected by its member associations.

"The FIFA president was democratically elected by FIFA's Member Associations and continues to serve with their mandate," the organisation said.

FIFA also argued that anyone seeking to replace Infantino should do so through the organisation's established democratic procedures rather than through public accusations or what it described as misinformation.

The strongest resistance to Infantino has so far come from Europe. Elsewhere, he continues to enjoy significant support.

The Mexican Football Federation has backed the FIFA president, despite taking a position different from its regional governing body, Concacaf. Mexico joined South America's CONMEBOL in opposing any attempt to remove Infantino without a vote involving all 211 FIFA member associations.

Infantino also has unanimous backing from the 54 member associations of the Confederation of African Football (CAF).

The growing divide therefore reflects a broader battle over FIFA's leadership and commercial direction, with Infantino facing serious criticism in Europe while retaining substantial support across other regions of world football.

Jorge Messi, the father and longtime representative of football superstar Lionel Messi, has died at the age of 68 in Rosario, Argentina, following a prolonged illness.

According to Argentine media reports, Jorge passed away at a sanatorium in Rosario at around 10 p.m. on Friday. His death marks a deeply personal loss for Lionel Messi and the family who stood behind his remarkable journey from Argentina to the pinnacle of world football.

Jorge played a crucial role in shaping his son’s early career. When Lionel was just 13, he helped make the life-changing decision to move to Spain and pursue an opportunity with Barcelona. The move also gave Lionel access to the growth hormone treatment he needed, which had been difficult for the family to afford in Argentina.

During Lionel’s first challenging years in Spain, Jorge remained by his son’s side while other members of the family stayed in Argentina. He supported Lionel through the uncertainty of adapting to a new country and helped him remain focused on his dream of becoming a professional footballer.

Lionel has previously spoken about the difficult decision he faced as a teenager, recalling how his father asked whether he wanted to continue chasing his dream in Spain or return home. Lionel chose to stay — and Jorge stayed with him.

Beyond his role as a father, Jorge became a key figure in Lionel’s professional career, overseeing many aspects of his son’s business and commercial affairs while generally keeping a low public profile.

Concerns about Jorge’s health became more widely known during the 2026 World Cup, when Lionel appeared emotional following Argentina’s opening match. The family later indicated that Jorge was undergoing treatment and recovering.

Jorge Messi is survived by his wife, Celia Cuccittini, and their four children — Lionel, Rodrigo, Matias and Maria Sol.

For Lionel Messi, the loss is not only that of a father but of the person who stood beside him from his earliest days in Rosario, supported his biggest dreams and helped him take the first steps toward becoming one of football’s greatest-ever players.

FIFA president Gianni Infantino has strongly denied allegations that UEFA made a six-figure payment to a woman who was allegedly involved in a relationship with him during his time as the organisation’s general secretary.

According to a Daily Telegraph investigation, the woman received a departure payment from UEFA after her alleged relationship with Infantino. Infantino, who is married, has categorically denied the allegations and rejected any suggestion of inappropriate conduct.

A FIFA spokesperson said: “FIFA president Gianni Infantino strongly denies these allegations, and they are categorically untrue. Any insinuation of inappropriate conduct or violation of statutes or regulations is defamatory.”

The spokesperson also said that no employee at UEFA or FIFA had ever filed a complaint concerning Infantino’s behaviour, adding that there had been no incident involving him.

UEFA confirmed that a departure payment had been made to the woman but said it was not a payoff. The organisation explained that the payment included costs associated with her completing an MBA at a local business school.

UEFA said all payments were made in accordance with the regulations in place at the time. However, it acknowledged that its rules have since been strengthened and now reflect the standards expected of a modern, high-profile organisation.

Infantino served as UEFA’s general secretary from 2009 to 2016 before becoming FIFA president. The allegations come at a politically sensitive period for Infantino, as he faces scrutiny over his leadership and previously proposed plans to attract private investment into World Cup-related assets.

UEFA has confirmed two major rule changes that will be introduced across the Champions League, Europa League and Conference League from the 2026/27 season, revising the yellow-card suspension system and introducing a running match clock.

According to reports from Mundo Deportivo, players will now serve a one-match suspension only after collecting four yellow cards during the league phase, replacing the previous three-card threshold.

Under the updated disciplinary rules, further suspensions will still apply as players accumulate additional bookings, including after five and seven yellow cards. UEFA says the adjustment is intended to reduce the number of players missing important fixtures for relatively minor disciplinary offences while continuing to punish persistent infringements.

The governing body has also ended its long-standing practice of freezing stadium scoreboards and television match clocks at 45 and 90 minutes. Beginning with the 2026/27 campaign, the match clock will continue running throughout stoppage time, showing the actual elapsed time until the referee signals the end of each half. For example, the display could read 93:14 instead of remaining fixed at 90:00.

UEFA believes the running clock will provide greater transparency for supporters, broadcasters and analysts. However, the referee will retain full authority over the amount of added time played.

The new regulations will take effect from the Champions League play-off round on 19 and 20 August, when the final eight teams will secure places in the competition's 36-team league phase.

Although UEFA has not publicly detailed the reasoning behind the running clock, reports suggest the move is aimed at aligning with modern broadcasting standards and recent developments in world football.

The changes have sparked mixed reactions across the football community. While some managers have welcomed the relaxed yellow-card suspension threshold, others remain cautious about the impact the running clock could have on the perception and management of stoppage time.

FIFA's head of global football development, Arsène Wenger, has said the decision to drop plans for private investment in FIFA competitions was the correct one.

The proposal, introduced by FIFA president Gianni Infantino, would have created a commercial company to manage major tournaments, including the FIFA World Cup. Outside investors would have been able to buy stakes in the new business. Reports said FIFA's 211 member associations were each offered $40 million (£30 million) in exchange for supporting the plan.

The proposal attracted strong criticism, with UEFA's 55 member associations reportedly threatening to boycott FIFA competitions if it moved forward. In response to the growing backlash, FIFA withdrew the proposal.

Wenger, who has overseen FIFA's football development programmes since 2019, said he was not involved in creating the plan and only learned about it through media reports. In a statement, he stressed that FIFA should remain independent and operate with transparency, integrity and a commitment to serving the game.

The former Arsenal manager has previously supported some of Infantino's ideas, including holding the men's World Cup every two years. However, he made clear that he believed abandoning the investment proposal was the only appropriate course of action.

The article also notes that Wenger was among 18 FIFA officials named in a UEFA document preservation letter linked to potential legal action. Meanwhile, Carlos Cordeiro, Infantino's senior adviser on global strategy and governance, resigned over the proposal, calling it "a bad deal for football" that would "mortgage football's future."

FIFA President Gianni Infantino is seeking support from the Trump administration as he faces increasing pressure over his leadership and a controversial proposal to restructure FIFA’s commercial operations, according to sources familiar with the matter.

Infantino is expected to hold a private discussion with U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, with the conversation publicly framed around soccer’s role as a tool of American soft power. However, huhuoonline.com gathered that the wider objective is to strengthen political backing as Infantino works to maintain his position as head of world football.

“He wanted to discuss how soccer can serve as a form of soft power for America,” one source said. “But the reality is that this is about protecting his position.”

The FIFA president has reportedly become increasingly isolated following criticism of a plan to establish a new commercial entity that would oversee major revenue streams, including broadcasting, sponsorship, licensing, and ticketing rights.

The proposed venture, reportedly known as FIFA Forward Enterprise (FFE), was expected to attract private investment, including a potential deal with Thrive Eternal, the investment firm founded by Josh Kushner, brother of Jared Kushner, the son-in-law of U.S. President Donald Trump.The proposal reportedly involved the sale of a 20% stake valued at more than $4 billion.

The plan triggered widespread opposition among football officials, many of whom claimed they were not properly consulted before details became public. Some FIFA executives expressed frustration over the decision-making process, with one senior official reportedly saying he felt “deceived” by the handling of the proposal.

The backlash has intensified calls for leadership changes within FIFA, with some officials reportedly exploring efforts to challenge Infantino’s position.

Infantino, who has built a close relationship with U.S. President Donald Trump ahead of the 2026 World Cup, has reportedly attempted several times to reconnect with Trump following the collapse of the commercial proposal. According to sources, those efforts have so far not received a response.

The controversy has also widened divisions between FIFA and European football authorities. UEFA, European football’s governing body, has reportedly discussed possible measures, including legal action and potential boycotts of FIFA competitions, creating uncertainty over future tournaments.

Any significant withdrawal of European support could have major consequences for global football, potentially affecting participation by some of the world’s biggest national teams and players.

The English Football Association (FA) is now preparing to withdraw its support for Infantino’s bid to remain FIFA president, following the collapse of the proposed commercial restructuring plan.

The move follows similar opposition from other football bodies, including the Football Association of Wales, which has already indicated it will not back Infantino for another term. UEFA and Concacaf have also raised concerns about the lack of consultation surrounding the proposal.

UEFA has warned FIFA that it is considering legal action, arbitration, and regulatory complaints over the planned restructuring. In a letter to Infantino, UEFA reportedly demanded that FIFA preserve all documents and electronic records connected to the project, emphasizing that such material must be protected regardless of standard document retention policies.

FIFA has not yet issued a public response to the latest developments.

FIFA has abandoned its controversial proposal to sell stakes in its major competitions after widespread opposition from its member associations.

FIFA President Gianni Infantino announced that the plan would no longer go ahead, saying it had become clear the proposal had "created divisions" and was "no longer in the interest" of its original objective.

The FIFA president had proposed selling a 20% stake in a newly created commercial entity overseeing the World Cup, with the goal of raising $4.2 billion (€3.6 billion). The leading candidate to acquire the stake was Thrive Eternal, the investment fund founded by Joshua Kushner, brother of Jared Kushner, the son-in-law of U.S. President Donald Trump.

The decision to scrap the proposal follows strong resistance from member associations, bringing an end to one of the most controversial governance initiatives in FIFA's recent history.

FIFA has insisted that "nobody is selling football" as it pledged to continue consulting members over its controversial proposal to allow private investors to buy stakes in its competitions.

The plan has faced strong opposition from football's regional governing bodies. UEFA, which oversees European football, voted on Thursday to boycott future World Cups if the proposal moves forward. Concacaf, the governing body for North and Central America and the Caribbean, also announced that its 41 member associations had rejected the plan put forward by FIFA president Gianni Infantino.

FIFA has 211 member associations, and the proposal would require the support of at least 106 to pass. Together, UEFA and Concacaf represent 96 votes, making their opposition a significant obstacle.

In a statement released on Friday, FIFA said the consultation process had been affected by "incorrect media reports" but stressed that it remained committed to an open and democratic discussion.

"We respect the feedback and concerns expressed publicly and remain committed to an open and democratic consultation," the statement said. "We will continue this process to ensure every member association can cast its vote based on the facts.

"Nobody is selling football. This is not something FIFA would ever entertain."

Manchester City midfielder Rodri is approaching a crucial crossroads in his career, with Barcelona and Real Madrid both emerging as potential destinations if he decides to leave the Etihad Stadium this summer.

The 30-year-old has entered the final year of his contract with City and has yet to agree to an extension. While the Premier League champions remain confident he will stay, growing interest from Spain has intensified speculation over his future.

Real Madrid have admired Rodri for several years, but Barcelona have now entered the race. Sources close to the Catalan club claim the midfielder has given his approval for them to begin discussions with Manchester City. Although no agreement is in place, it represents a significant step if Barcelona decide to pursue a transfer.

Rodri's recent seasons have been disrupted by injury. He missed much of the 2024-25 campaign after suffering a serious knee injury and later dealt with a hamstring problem. However, he reminded everyone of his quality during the summer by captaining Spain to World Cup success and earning the tournament's Player of the Tournament award.

Earlier this season, Rodri indicated that any decision regarding his future would be made after the World Cup. He is currently recovering from back surgery and has not yet joined Manchester City's squad on their pre-season tour of Asia.

Once he returns, he will have three clear options: sign a new long-term contract with City, remain until his current deal expires and leave as a free agent next summer, or seek a move back to Spain before the transfer window closes.

Manchester City have consistently stated that they expect Rodri to remain at the club and would only consider a sale if a substantial offer were made.

A move to Barcelona would reunite Rodri with several Spain teammates, including Ferran Torres, Lamine Yamal, Pau Cubarsí and Pedri. On the other hand, joining Real Madrid would see him link up again with former City teammate Bernardo Silva, who reportedly arrived at the Spanish giants on a free transfer this summer under returning manager José Mourinho.

If Rodri chooses Barcelona, his arrival may not receive universal approval. The midfielder previously represented Atlético Madrid, while comments he made in the past about Real Madrid being "one of the best clubs in the world" could make his reception among Barça supporters an interesting one.

Should Manchester City lose Rodri, replacing one of the world's finest midfielders would be a major challenge. Since arriving in 2019, he has helped the club win four Premier League titles, the Champions League and two FA Cups, becoming the heartbeat of Pep Guardiola's midfield.

City would likely look to Mateo Kovačić, Nico González or Tijjani Reijnders to fill the void, while club-record signing Elliot Anderson is expected to play an important role. The club also remain interested in Lille teenager Ayyoub Bouaddi, although asking the 18-year-old to replace a player of Rodri's stature would be a considerable task.

For now, Rodri's future remains uncertain, but with Barcelona and Real Madrid monitoring his situation and Manchester City determined to keep him, one of the biggest transfer stories of the summer could soon unfold.

Under-pressure FIFA president Gianni Infantino is set to hold a crisis meeting with senior staff in Rabat, Morocco, on Wednesday as questions over his future continue to intensify.

Senior FIFA officials have been summoned to the meeting following growing backlash over Infantino's now-abandoned proposal to create FIFA Forward Enterprise (FFE), a company that would have overseen the commercial and operational management of FIFA's tournaments.

The emergency talks are expected to be highly charged, with uncertainty surrounding Infantino's next move. One possibility is that he acknowledges the growing opposition, accepts that his position has become untenable and resigns. The alternative is that he vows to stay on, insisting he still has strong backing from member associations, particularly in South America, Africa and Asia.

As a seasoned football politician, Infantino is likely aware of the shifting mood within FIFA. The key question is whether he believes he can rebuild support or whether the pressure has become too great to withstand.

Critics argue the controversy stems from more than a single misstep. They claim plans to sell a stake in the commercial rights to the FIFA World Cup had been developed over a prolonged period with a small group of close advisers, making the backlash far more damaging than an isolated error of judgment.

Several figures familiar with FIFA's internal politics now believe Infantino faces an uphill battle to remain in office, although his future will ultimately depend on whether he can retain the confidence of FIFA's member associations.

Sepp Blatter wants first female FIFA president to replace Infantino

However, former FIFA president Sepp Blatter has called for FIFA to appoint its first female president, backing Norwegian Football Federation president Lise Klaveness as the ideal successor to current president Gianni Infantino.
In a post on X, Blatter praised Klaveness for her independence and leadership, writing: “Lise Klaveness deserves the utmost respect. She was the only one who always took a clear stand and did not go along with the mainstream. And at FIFA, the time is right for a woman to take the lead.”
Klaveness has led the Norwegian Football Federation for the past four years, following careers as both an international footballer and a lawyer. During her tenure, she has earned a reputation for taking principled positions on major issues affecting the game, even when those views left Norway isolated among FIFA’s member associations.
She publicly criticised Qatar’s hosting of the 2022 FIFA World Cup while attending the FIFA Congress in Doha and has also questioned the process that awarded the 2034 World Cup to Saudi Arabia. Earlier this year, Norway was among only a small number of FIFA’s 211 member associations that declined to sign letters supporting Infantino’s expected re-election in 2027.
Blatter served as FIFA president from 1998 until his resignation in 2015 amid a corruption scandal that rocked world football. Although he was cleared of personal corruption charges by a Swiss tribunal last August, his endorsement of Klaveness is likely to reignite debate over FIFA’s future leadership and the prospect of its first female president.

Mauricio Pochettino has signed a contract extension to remain head coach of the United States men's national team until 2030.

The former Tottenham Hotspur and Chelsea manager, who took charge in September 2024, guided the United States to the last 16 of the 2026 FIFA World Cup. The tournament co-hosts were eventually knocked out by Belgium.

As part of the new agreement, Pochettino's responsibilities will extend beyond the senior national team. Alongside his coaching staff, he will play a wider role in supporting US Soccer by contributing to youth development, coaching education, collaboration with professional leagues, and strengthening the pathway from youth teams to the senior national side.

Speaking about the extension, Pochettino said the past two years had shown the enormous potential to further develop the men's national team programme. He added that he and his staff were eager to use their experience to help improve player and coach development across the federation while creating stronger pathways for future talent.

Pochettino also said his ambition is to make a lasting contribution to soccer in the United States, hoping his influence will be felt not only through results on the pitch but also through the long-term growth of the sport throughout the country.

On Tuesday morning, Gianni Infantino appeared untouchable as FIFA president, occupying the most powerful position in world football.

Just days later, however, his authority has come under unprecedented pressure after it emerged that he had attempted to sell stakes in FIFA competitions to private investment firms—reportedly without the knowledge or approval of other senior officials.

UEFA, Infantino's most vocal critic, responded forcefully by threatening to boycott all FIFA competitions, including the World Cup. Sensing a rare opportunity to challenge his leadership, European football's governing body now appears determined to push for his removal. It may represent the strongest chance it has ever had to weaken his grip on power.


Yet UEFA is far from alone in its opposition.

Concacaf, a confederation that had worked closely with Infantino in planning the 2026 World Cup, called for a full review of FIFA's leadership following the proposed investment deal. Even more damaging was the reaction from the Asian Football Confederation (AFC), where several member associations that had traditionally supported Infantino also distanced themselves from him.

His difficulties deepened further when two of his closest allies—senior adviser Carlos Cordeiro and chief operating officer Kevin Lamour—left their positions, raising fresh questions about confidence in his leadership.

Although Infantino reversed course in the early hours of Saturday by abandoning the proposal, the move failed to repair the damage. UEFA responded with another strongly worded statement, declaring that it had lost confidence in his leadership.

The battle lines have now been drawn. The question is no longer just about the failed investment proposal, but whether Infantino can retain the support of enough FIFA members to remain in office—or whether this controversy will become the beginning of the end of his presidency.

FIFA President Gianni Infantino is facing increasing pressure after the organization's chief operating officer publicly criticized his proposal to sell stakes in FIFA competitions to private investors.

In a statement released made available to huhuonline.com on Friday, Kevin Lamour described the proposal as "the project of one person" and urged football leaders to "ask themselves the right questions and make the right decisions." He also claimed FIFA's administration had been "deceived" about the initiative.

Although Lamour did not mention Infantino by name, his remarks came amid growing opposition to the plans. On the same day, a third football confederation voiced its concerns, a senior adviser to Infantino resigned, and Andy Burnham said the Swiss official was "the wrong man" to lead FIFA.

Meanwhile, U.S. President Donald Trump said he had not discussed the proposal with Infantino, despite reports that the two have developed a close relationship since Trump's second term began in 2025.

Lamour said FIFA's employees are committed to serving football and argued that the organization's leadership should unite and inspire rather than divide.

"Our mission—the mission of the hundreds of passionate, dedicated, and exemplary FIFA employees—is to serve football," he said. "A president must bring people together, unite them, and inspire them. Today, we are experiencing the opposite."

Acknowledging his responsibility to both FIFA and its values, Lamour said he was prepared to accept any consequences for speaking out.

"If that means I lose my job, then so be it," he said. "I will understand and respect that decision. At least I'll sleep well tonight."

UEFA's 55 member associations have voted to boycott FIFA competitions if plans to sell stakes in the governing body's tournaments to private investors are approved.

The decision was reached during an emergency meeting called after FIFA announced proposals earlier this week to allow outside investors to buy minority stakes in competitions such as the World Cup.

UEFA has strongly opposed the idea, describing the World Cup as "one of football's greatest sporting legacies" and insisting it should never be treated as a commercial investment.

"The World Cup cannot be treated as an investment product," UEFA said in a statement. "It has been built over generations by players, national teams and supporters across every continent. No part of it should ever be surrendered to private investors. The World Cup is not for sale."

If FIFA president Gianni Infantino's proposals are approved by member associations, UEFA says its boycott would extend to all FIFA competitions, including the men's and women's World Cups and the Club World Cup.

The first major test of UEFA's position could come in October, when the Women's World Cup play-offs are scheduled.

Sources described the atmosphere at UEFA's emergency meeting as highly charged, with delegates expressing overwhelming opposition to the proposals. England FA chair Debbie Hewitt and chief executive Mark Bullingham were among those who spoke during the discussions. Despite serving as one of FIFA's vice-presidents, Hewitt is understood to have had no prior knowledge of Infantino's plans.

Opposition is also growing outside Europe. Concacaf, which represents 41 national associations across North and Central America and the Caribbean, announced that it had also rejected the proposal. Sources suggest confidence in Infantino's leadership is weakening among Concacaf members.

The standoff marks one of the most significant governance disputes in world football in recent years, with the future ownership and control of FIFA's flagship competitions now at the centre of a growing conflict.

Gianni Infantino will continue as FIFA president after receiving the unanimous support of the organization's senior management board during a meeting in Rabat, Morocco, on Wednesday.

The meeting was called in response to growing criticism over Infantino's failed proposal to transfer parts of FIFA's commercial and event operations to private investors through the FIFA Forward Enterprise initiative.

UEFA had recently expressed its loss of confidence in Infantino, describing the proposal as an "opaque" and "back-room" deal. Opposition also emerged from within FIFA, including Secretary General Mattias Grafström, who described the situation in an internal memo as "a sad and reproachable series of events."

Despite the backlash, the management board, together with Grafström, released a statement after the meeting reaffirming its full support for Infantino's leadership, confirming that he will remain FIFA president.

FIFA president Gianni Infantino is facing renewed pressure after the president of the Jordan Football Association (JFA), Prince Ali bin Al Hussein, accused FIFA of attempting to pressure his organisation into supporting Infantino's re-election.
In a post on X, Prince Ali claimed FIFA had suggested that backing Infantino would help resolve several outstanding issues affecting Jordanian football, including the recovery of money the JFA says it is owed. He described the alleged approach as "blackmail" and insisted Jordan would not change its position.
Prince Ali, who ran against Sepp Blatter in the 2015 FIFA presidential election and against Infantino in 2016, also criticised FIFA over a number of issues linked to this summer's World Cup. These included visa difficulties faced by Jordanian supporters travelling to the United States, high ticket prices, and significant tax costs incurred because Jordan's team was based in the U.S. rather than Canada or Mexico.
He also said the JFA is still waiting to receive prize money from last year's FIFA-organised Arab Cup, despite FIFA's strong financial position.
"It is clear the problem really is with leadership," Prince Ali wrote. "For months, FIFA refused to help us on these matters until it was verbally communicated to me during the World Cup that endorsing Infantino would go a long way toward helping our FA. We pride ourselves on upholding ethical values. We did not endorse him before and certainly will not now."
The allegations come at a time when Infantino is facing increasing opposition from several football governing bodies. Europe, along with countries in North and Central America and the Caribbean, is reportedly moving away from supporting his leadership, while Africa, South America and Oceania are expected to remain largely supportive.
Tensions escalated following FIFA's proposal to create FIFA Forward Enterprise (FFE), a new company that would oversee the commercial and operational management of FIFA competitions. The proposal included plans to sell a 20 per cent stake to private investors, prompting strong opposition from UEFA, CONCACAF and the Asian Football Confederation.
Following widespread criticism and threats of a boycott from UEFA, FIFA abandoned the proposal. However, UEFA has said it has lost confidence in Infantino and is considering legal action, while several national associations, including England and Wales, have withdrawn their support for him.
Meanwhile, former FIFA president Sepp Blatter has publicly backed Norwegian Football Federation president Lise Klaveness as a potential successor to Infantino. Blatter said the time had come for FIFA to be led by a woman, praising Klaveness for consistently taking principled positions on governance issues, including criticism of the 2022 Qatar World Cup and Saudi Arabia's selection as host of the 2034 tournament.
Klaveness has led the Norwegian

Opposition to FIFA president Gianni Infantino is intensifying, with senior UEFA sources claiming that some member associations are considering "non-cooperation" with FIFA unless he steps down.

According to those sources, several officials involved in the growing backlash believe there is "no going back" while Infantino remains in office. The dispute stems from his abandoned proposal to sell stakes in FIFA competitions to private investors, a plan that has sparked widespread criticism.

Although the exact form of any coordinated action has not been confirmed, one senior football official suggested that a boycott of FIFA meetings is a likely option.

The latest developments follow UEFA's threat to pursue legal action over the investment proposal. Wales has already withdrawn its support for Infantino's expected bid for a fourth term as FIFA president, with England's Football Association reportedly preparing to do the same.

Infantino is expected to seek re-election in March and would require at least 106 votes from FIFA's 211 member associations to secure another term.

Huhuonline.com understand that the Scottish Football Association remains aligned with UEFA's position, reflecting the confederation's continued lack of confidence in Infantino's leadership.

Criticism of the FIFA president has also come from football governing bodies in Europe, North and Central America, and the Caribbean, with both UEFA and Concacaf issuing statements opposing the investment proposals.

As pressure mounts, Serbia, Sweden and Finland have also reportedly withdrawn their support for Infantino. Meanwhile, several nations—including Morocco, Qatar, Lebanon, Kuwait and Sri Lanka—have publicly backed his continued leadership of FIFA.

FIFA's 211 member associations are divided among six continental confederations: UEFA (55), CAF (54), AFC (46), Concacaf (35), OFC (11) and CONMEBOL (10).

The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) has expressed solidarity with UEFA and Concacaf over the issue, while CAF, CONMEBOL and OFC have not publicly criticised Infantino's proposals.

Under FIFA's statutes, the FIFA Council could seek to force Infantino's resignation by calling an emergency meeting. Such a meeting would require the support of at least 19 of the Council's 37 members and, if requested, must be held within two weeks.

The FIFA Council comprises representatives from UEFA (9), AFC (7), Concacaf (5), CAF (6), CONMEBOL (5), OFC (3), as well as FIFA president Gianni Infantino and Secretary General Mattias Grafström.

Gianni Infantino is facing mounting pressure over his leadership of FIFA following strong criticism from two of football's most influential confederations, UEFA and Concacaf.

According to Huhuonline.com, growing dissatisfaction with FIFA's leadership has intensified after the world football governing body reportedly decided not to proceed with a proposal to sell stakes in its competitions to private investors.

On Saturday, both UEFA and Concacaf issued statements criticizing FIFA's leadership following the decision to withdraw the investment proposal.

UEFA welcomed the withdrawal of the plan, describing it as a "victory for the whole game." The European governing body accused the current FIFA leadership of failing to uphold the promises of transparency and accountability that Infantino made during his successful campaign for the FIFA presidency in 2016.

"The current FIFA leadership has not only lost UEFA's confidence but also that of many other members of the football family," UEFA said in a strongly worded statement. The organization further criticized what it described as a lack of transparency in the handling of the proposed investment deal.

Concacaf, which governs football in North America, Central America and the Caribbean, echoed UEFA's concerns. While it did not mention Infantino by name, the confederation said the abandoned proposal reflected "a symptom of leadership that has stopped putting football first."

The regional body added that the episode represented "a unilateral and egregious act of poor governance and leadership" and called for a comprehensive review of FIFA's leadership.

In a separate statement, Concacaf stressed that "accountability cannot be optional," arguing that football stakeholders deserve answers about how such a proposal was allowed to advance and who should be held responsible.

The backlash has increased scrutiny of Infantino's leadership as he prepares for the next FIFA presidential election. Although there have been growing calls from some quarters for greater accountability within FIFA, there has been no official announcement that Infantino intends to resign.

FIFA has yet to issue a detailed response to the criticisms from UEFA and Concacaf.

A senior adviser to FIFA president Gianni Infantino has resigned after a third football confederation publicly opposed plans to sell stakes in FIFA competitions to private investors.

Carlos Cordeiro described the proposal as "a bad deal for football" that would "mortgage football's future." His resignation came just hours after the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) announced it was joining UEFA and Concacaf in opposing the plan.

In a statement, the AFC said it "stands in solidarity" with the other confederations, arguing that the proposal could not achieve the broad consensus needed to move forward. It warned that the FIFA World Cup draws its strength from the participation of all confederations and leading football nations, and that any proposal threatening the competition's unity should be reconsidered.

The AFC also criticized FIFA for advancing a major initiative without first consulting member associations or key governing bodies. It said the process had exposed weaknesses in FIFA's governance, leaving confederations, national associations and even the FIFA Council feeling sidelined. The confederation called for an urgent review of FIFA's consultation and decision-making procedures to ensure future proposals of global importance are developed through meaningful engagement and proper oversight.

The growing opposition presents a major obstacle for Infantino's plans. FIFA has 211 member associations, and the proposal would require a simple majority of 106 votes to pass. UEFA represents 55 members, Concacaf has 35, and the AFC has 46. If all three confederations vote against the proposal, 136 member associations would oppose it, making approval highly unlikely.

Cordeiro, who served as FIFA's senior adviser on global strategy and governance for nearly five years, is the first senior official to resign over the proposal. A former Goldman Sachs investment banker, he also represented FIFA on the White House task force for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

In a lengthy statement, Cordeiro said he "unequivocally" opposed the plan and rejected the argument that FIFA needed outside investors to unlock greater value. He argued that FIFA's responsibility is not to maximize commercial returns but to protect and strengthen football for future generations.

"The proposal has become a defining question for FIFA's future," he said. "When those principles come into conflict, football must come first."

Cordeiro stressed that he had no involvement in developing the proposal and criticized the lack of transparency surrounding it.

"Most troubling of all is the absence of answers to fundamental questions," he said. "Why this deal? Why now? What oversight exists? Who benefits?"

He added that member associations were being asked to make a decision with far-reaching consequences in less than 50 days, despite many key questions remaining unanswered.

"That is not a responsible way to determine the future of the world's game," he said.

FIFA President Gianni Infantino has proposed a plan that could significantly change the future of the FIFA World Cup by allowing private investors to buy a stake in its commercial operations. The proposal has sparked strong opposition, particularly from UEFA, which argues that football's biggest tournament should not be treated as a commercial asset for outside investors. Some European football officials have even suggested boycotting future World Cups if the plan moves forward.

What Is FIFA's Proposal?

FIFA plans to create a new company called FIFA Forward Enterprise (FFE) to manage the commercial side of its competitions, including broadcasting rights, sponsorships, ticket sales, and licensing. FIFA would then sell a minority stake in this company to private investors, aiming to raise as much as $20 billion.

According to FIFA, it would retain majority ownership and full authority over football matters such as tournament rules, governance, and the international match calendar.

Why Is FIFA Doing This?

FIFA says the investment would help unlock the commercial value of the World Cup and generate more revenue for football worldwide. Every one of FIFA's 211 member associations would receive an immediate payment of about $20 million if the proposal is approved, followed by additional payments totaling around $86 million through 2038. For many smaller football associations, this funding could make a significant difference in developing the sport.

Why Is the Plan Controversial?

Many football organizations believe that introducing private investors could shift the focus from sporting values to financial profits. Critics worry that investors may push for higher ticket prices, more commercial advertising, larger tournaments, or more frequent competitions to maximize returns.

UEFA argues that the World Cup belongs to the global football community and should not be partially sold to private investors. It has also criticized FIFA for announcing the proposal without sufficient consultation with member organizations.

Why Is UEFA Threatening a Boycott?

UEFA believes the proposal could permanently change football governance and reduce the independence of the World Cup. Since Europe is home to many of the world's strongest national teams and most successful domestic leagues, a boycott by UEFA members would greatly reduce the prestige and competitiveness of the tournament.

However, FIFA decisions are made on a one-country, one-vote basis. Although UEFA has 55 member associations, FIFA has 211 members in total, meaning the proposal could still pass with support from other regions.

Who Could Invest?

The initial proposal reportedly came from Thrive Eternal, a permanent holding company led by investor Josh Kushner. If the plan advances, other investors, including sovereign wealth funds and international investment firms, could also seek to purchase a stake.

What Could Happen Next?

Several outcomes are possible. FIFA members may approve the proposal, allowing private investment to move forward. Alternatively, UEFA and other opponents could persuade enough member associations to reject it or force FIFA to revise its plans. UEFA has also discussed the possibility of boycotting future World Cups if the proposal is adopted.

Conclusion

The debate is about more than raising money. It concerns who should control the commercial future of the world's most prestigious football tournament. Supporters believe the plan would provide valuable funding for football development worldwide, while critics argue that it risks placing commercial interests ahead of the sport, its players, and its supporters. The outcome will depend on how FIFA's member associations vote in the coming months.

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