Gianni Infantino has received internal support to remain as FIFA president from Secretary General Mattias Grafström and other senior staff at a crisis meeting in Morocco, despite growing criticism over his plans to sell stakes in the World Cup. FIFA has apologized for errors made over the abandoned plan and committed to "ensure they do not happen again." The organization is scrapping plans to sell off World Cup profits through a commercial subsidiary called FIFA Forward Enterprise (FFE), which was described as "dangerous" by the association of European soccer leagues, who are calling for governance reform. Key officials from European associations, including UEFA and CONCACAF, have also voiced opposition to Infantino's plan and threatened legal action or boycotts if it is not scrapped.
Written by the local model on 2026-08-21,
using this article's own text rather than the other coverage of the
same event (that is the story summary below).
Why this leaning score
The article presents a relatively balanced view of the crisis meeting, quoting from FIFA's statement and highlighting both Infantino's internal support and criticism from European Leagues. However, the tone leans slightly towards sympathy for Infantino with phrases such as 'embattled president' and quotes from FIFA's statement that emphasize its commitment to improvement.
Written under an earlier scoring contract, which gave a paragraph
rather than checkable quotes. Re-analysing this article replaces it.
Leaning score +0.43 for article 505 · logged 2026-08-06
Gianni Infantino gets internal support at crisis meeting to remain as FIFA president
Criticism grows despite FIFA apology over abandoned World Cup plan
FIFA said Wednesday it had apologized for errors made over Gianni Infantino's failed plan to sell stakes in the World Cup and that senior staff in attendance at a crisis meeting in Morocco "reaffirmed their full support" for his presidency.
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staff → get → presidency
World soccer's governing body attempted to present a unified front amid the turbulence caused by Infantino's controversial plans, with calls for him to step down.
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him → govern → calls
In a statement, FIFA said Secretary General Mattias Grafström and members of the management board in attendance in Rabat had given their support to the embattled president.
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Grafström → say → president
Referring to the plans to sell profits in the World Cup through a commercial subsidiary called FIFA Forward Enterprise (FFE), the statement said "mistakes made were acknowledged" and that the "process should have been handled differently."
Senior FIFA official resigns over Infantino's World Cup sell-off plan, another says staff 'deceived'
FIFA says it is scrapping plans to sell off World Cup after outcry
FIFA said a letter had been sent to FIFA Council and member associations apologizing for errors and committed to "ensure they do not happen again."
Grafström's stated support was notable after he distanced himself from Infantino's now abandoned plans in an email to all FIFA staff calling the last week a "sad and reproachable series of events."
FIFA said Infantino had also reaffirmed his support for his secretary general.
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Infantino → refer → general
World soccer's governing said the FFE proposal was "now off the table."
"There are always lessons to be learned, and FIFA will continue to improve its processes in light of this experience," it said.
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it → say → experience
It remains to be seen if the meeting will ease the pressure on Infantino.
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meeting → remain → Infantino
Earlier Wednesday, the association of European soccer leagues — including the Premier League, La Liga and Serie A — called for governance reform of FIFA.
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association → include → FIFA
It described the FFE proposal as "dangerous" and said it pointed to deeper concerns about how the governing body operates.
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body → describe → concerns
It said it raised "serious questions about FIFA's governance, internal culture and decision-making."
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it → say → governance
"Now more than ever, FIFA requires governance reform that ensures that all relevant stakeholders have a formal role in decisions that shape the future of our game."
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that → require → game
In the statement, European Leagues hit out at the possibility of further expanding the World Cup to 64 teams and said "FIFA must not be allowed to continue taking unilaterally disruptive decisions."
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FIFA → hit → decisions
European soccer body UEFA warns FIFA of legal action over Infantino's failed World Cup sell-off plan
European nations vow FIFA World Cup boycott over Infantino private equity plan, CONCACAF joins in opposition
It said that until there was reform it would reject the "expansion or creation" of FIFA competitions.
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it → warn → competitions
Portugal and Real Madrid great Luis Figo also called for Infantino to step down, saying he had "debased the office."
FIFA denied a British media report suggesting Infantino, in seeking support for his presidency, had offered Morocco the hosting of the final at the 2030 World Cup.
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Infantino → call → Cup
Morocco hopes to host the final at the planned 115,000-seat King Hassan II Stadium near Casablanca; Spain has at least two contenders — the home stadiums of Real Madrid and Barcelona.
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Spain → hop → Madrid
A FIFA spokesperson said it's "false and misleading to claim the FIFA president has made any promise in relation to hosting the FIFA World Cup 2030 final.
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president → say → final
A decision will be made by FIFA in due course."
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decision → make → course
Canada's Carney raises concerns
Also Wednesday, Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney said he no longer has confidence Infantino.
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he → raise → confidence
He said the FIFA president committed a "fatal" governance failure by not consulting senior advisers.
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president → say → advisers
"Certainly I don't have confidence in Mr. Infantino," said Carney, who had appeared alongside Infantino at several events during the 2026 World Cup co-hosted by Canada, Mexico and the United States.
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who → have → Canada
A tumultuous week have raised questions about Infantino's presidency of FIFA ahead of elections in March.
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week → raise → March
European soccer's governing body UEFA has applied the most intense pressure by voting to boycott the World Cup if Infantino pressed ahead with (FFE).
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Infantino → apply → FFE
Even after Infantino's climbdown UEFA said it had lost confidence in FIFA's leadership — possibly paving the way for a challenge to his presidency.
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it → say → presidency
The governing body for North and Central American and Caribbean soccer (CONCACAF) also said FIFA leadership had "stopped putting football first."
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leadership → say → football
There have also been signs of division within the organization with chief of global football development Arsene Wenger distancing himself from the FFE plans.
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Wenger → distance → plans
Infantino's senior adviser Carlos Cordeiro resigned last week and chief operating officer Kevin Lamour said staff were "deceived" by the president's lack of openness.
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staff → resign → openness
Infantino is aiming for to win a fourth and final term in office at the March elections.
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Infantino → aim → elections
