Infantino Seeks Breakthrough, Hints at Additional Financial Support for FIFA Member Associations

FIFA President Gianni Infantino, who has been facing severe backlash over his push to "privatize the World Cup," has left open the possibility of significantly increasing financial support for member associations.

Foreign media outlets such as AFP reported on the 29th (Korean time) that "FIFA President Infantino sent a letter to the presidents of the six continental confederations under FIFA, stating that he would support 'the maximum level of additional financial assistance that can be responsibly executed through appropriate procedures.'"

The FIFA Council is scheduled to review the issue of additional funding disbursements at its meeting on October 15, local time.

However, Infantino added a caveat, stating, "Any amounts currently under discussion cannot yet be regarded as officially approved commitments for payment."

In July, Infantino announced a plan to establish a subsidiary called FFE dedicated to the commercial rights of the World Cup and to sell a 20% stake in the company to the U.S. private equity fund Thrive Capital for 4.2 billion dollars. After facing strong opposition, he ultimately scrapped the plan.

Since then, calls for Infantino's resignation have continued, along with ongoing conflict within the global football community.

Withdrawals of support for Infantino's re-election, as he plans to run in the FIFA presidential election scheduled for March next year, have also followed.

Recently, UEFA President Aleksander Čeferin and CONCACAF President Victor Montagliani, leaders of the faction opposing Infantino, stepped up pressure by sending a letter to FIFA demanding that 10 million dollars be paid to each of the 211 member associations.

Earlier this month, English Football Association (FA) Chair and FIFA Vice President Debbie Hewitt also demanded that Infantino disclose all documents related to the FFE plan.

In his latest letter, Infantino reiterated his stance regarding the fallout from the aborted plan to sell a portion of the World Cup's commercial rights.

He argued, "Although the recent commercial proposal has now been withdrawn, it was intended to enable FIFA to invest more heavily in football."

(Photo: Getty Images)
※ Please note: This article was translated by AI and may contain errors.