FIFA defends Gianni Infantino amid backlash over private equity plan

FIFA has defended President Gianni Infantino as criticism intensifies over his controversial private equity proposal and growing questions about his leadership. 

The governing body said it supports Infantino and rejected what it described as an effort to undermine his presidency.

The controversy follows the collapse of Infantino’s plan by selling a stake in a new FIFA commercial entity that would manage major tournament-related rights.

The proposal faced strong opposition from UEFA, national football associations and senior figures within FIFA.

FIFA’s leadership reaffirmed its backing for Infantino at a crisis meeting.

Infantino pushed to create a commercial subsidiary called FIFA Forward Enterprise (FFE). Valued at an estimated $20 billion, the entity would house the commercial rights for major tournaments—including the men's and women's World Cups and the Club World Cup. 

Under the plan, FIFA would have sold a 20% equity stake to private investors (anchored by a New York investment firm) for roughly $4.2 billion.

The scheme sparked immediate outrage across the sport. Critics, internal staff, and regional bodies accused Infantino of bypassing standard consultation processes and attempting to commodify the sport's crown jewel.

While the FIFA boss officially scrapped the proposal and issued a formal apology alongside FIFA Secretary General Mattias Grafstrom, the fallout has severely tested his presidency and triggered a fierce political fracture within international football.