BY ISSAH OLEGOR
FIFA President Gianni Infantino is facing one of the biggest political crises of his leadership after the English Football Association reportedly decided to withdraw its support for his administration, while UEFA has threatened legal action over his abandoned proposal to open FIFA competitions to private investment.
The latest developments represent a significant escalation in the growing dispute between FIFA and several of world football’s most influential governing bodies, raising fresh uncertainty over Infantino’s future just months before he could seek re-election for a fourth and final term as FIFA president.
At the centre of the controversy is Infantino’s proposal to establish a commercial subsidiary known as FIFA Forward Enterprise (FFE), which would have managed FIFA’s flagship competitions, including the FIFA World Cup. Under the proposal, outside investors would have been allowed to acquire minority, non-controlling stakes in the commercial entity in an effort to generate additional revenue for world football.
FIFA argued that the new structure would attract fresh investment while enabling member associations to benefit financially. Infantino reportedly assured all 211 FIFA member associations that each would receive US$40 million, with an initial payment of US$20 million available to associations that supported the proposal before a September 19 deadline.
The proposed investment group was expected to be led by Thrive Eternal, an American venture capital firm founded by Joshua Kushner, brother of Jared Kushner, the son-in-law of U.S. President Donald Trump.
However, the proposal triggered fierce opposition, particularly from Europe and the CONCACAF region, where football authorities questioned the governance, transparency and long-term implications of allowing private investors to acquire interests in FIFA’s commercial operations.
Following widespread criticism, the proposal was eventually withdrawn, but the controversy has continued to intensify.
According to reports, the English Football Association is now preparing to formally notify FIFA that it is withdrawing its support for Infantino’s leadership, joining a growing list of football authorities distancing themselves from the FIFA president.
UEFA has gone even further by informing FIFA that it is actively considering legal action, arbitration proceedings and regulatory complaints over the failed investment plan.
In a strongly worded letter, UEFA demanded that FIFA immediately preserve all documents connected to the proposal, including emails, text messages, WhatsApp communications, Signal messages, Microsoft Teams chats, Slack conversations, written correspondence, meeting notes and other electronically stored information involving FIFA officials, consultants, member associations, broadcasters, sponsors and financial institutions.
UEFA also requested that FIFA preserve all records relating to the proposed financial payments promised to member associations, including documents concerning the design, approval and legal basis of the funding model.
The European governing body further instructed Infantino to acknowledge receipt of the notice within five business days and confirm that all relevant materials were being preserved pending any possible legal proceedings.
The dispute marks another chapter in the increasingly strained relationship between FIFA and UEFA, with tensions having steadily grown over governance issues, tournament expansion and commercial reforms in recent years.
Despite the mounting criticism, Infantino continues to enjoy support from several member associations outside Europe. Qatar, Lebanon, Kuwait and Sri Lanka have publicly backed his continued leadership, while Africa, South America and Oceania have so far refrained from openly opposing the proposal.
The Asian Football Confederation has instead expressed solidarity with UEFA and CONCACAF over concerns surrounding the governance of the abandoned investment plan.
Attention has now shifted to the FIFA Council, where growing calls are emerging for an emergency meeting that could potentially force Infantino to step aside.
Under FIFA statutes, an extraordinary Council meeting can be convened if 19 of the 37 Council members request it. Such a meeting must be held within two weeks and could consider whether the FIFA president should resign.
UEFA currently holds nine seats on the Council, while the Asian Football Confederation has seven, CONCACAF five, CAF six, CONMEBOL five and Oceania three. Infantino and FIFA Secretary General Mattias Grafström complete the membership.
