"Infantino Unfit to Lead FIFA," UK Prime Minister Directs First Criticism as National Leader

Regarding the International Federation of Association Football (FIFA)'s push to establish a World Cup tournament operating company and sell a stake to the private sector, UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham has directly criticized Gianni Infantino, stating he is unfit to lead FIFA.

Local time on July 31, Prime Minister Burnham strongly criticized FIFA's proposed plan, calling it an "absurd proposal."

Prime Minister Burnham continued, "The very fact that such an idea could be put forward shows, in my view, that President Infantino is an inappropriate person to lead that organization."

The Financial Times noted that Prime Minister Burnham is the first major national leader to question President Infantino's qualifications over this controversy.

The UK, known as the "home of football," has actively criticized FIFA's latest plan.

Immediately after FIFA's plan was reported, Prime Minister Burnham wrote on X, "Football does not belong to investors; it belongs to the people who fill the stands and stand on the touchline."

Additionally, after the Union of European Football Associations (UEFA) stated on the 30th that it would boycott the World Cup and all other FIFA-organized tournaments if the plan is forced through, UK Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy immediately issued a statement saying, "It is the right decision and we strongly support it."

Meanwhile, U.S. sports administrator Carlos Cordeiro announced that he is resigning from his role as senior advisor to President Infantino, protesting that the plan is a "bad deal for member associations and football."

President Infantino appointed Cordeiro, a former Goldman Sachs financier, as an advisor in 2021 to draft FIFA's future plans.

In a statement, Cordeiro said, "After working in the financial sector for 35 years, football has been at the center of my life, and I know the consequences of giving up the value of football assets and a portion of them," adding, "This proposal must be rejected."

He also criticized the plan, stating, "This plan mortgages the future of football without any justified reason."


(Photo: AP, Yonhap News)
※ Please note: This article was translated by AI and may contain errors.