Pressure Mounts on FIFA President Gianni Infantino Despite Apology

Calls for FIFA President Gianni Infantino to step down continued to grow on Thursday despite the organization’s apology over its controversial proposal to sell the commercial and operational rights to the FIFA World Cup.

The proposal, known as FFE, was withdrawn following widespread backlash from football stakeholders. FIFA acknowledged that mistakes had been made in the way the plan was presented during a crisis meeting in Rabat, Morocco, but the apology has done little to ease criticism.

UEFA, European football’s governing body, said it was maintaining its boycott of FIFA competitions, arguing that FIFA had failed to provide assurances that similar proposals would never be introduced again. UEFA also reiterated that it had lost confidence in Infantino’s leadership.

The boycott could have significant consequences for FIFA, with Poland scheduled to host the FIFA Under-20 Women’s World Cup beginning September 5. It remains unclear whether UEFA’s stance will affect the tournament or force FIFA to make alternative arrangements.

Global players’ union FIFPRO also dismissed FIFA’s apology as insufficient, describing the proposal as a “profound abuse of presidential power.” The organization said meaningful governance reforms, rather than public statements, were needed to restore trust.

South American football body CONMEBOL welcomed FIFA’s decision to abandon the proposal but stopped short of supporting calls for an extraordinary congress to decide Infantino’s future. Instead, it backed following the normal presidential election process, with nominations for candidates due by November 18.

Infantino, who has led FIFA since 2016, now faces mounting pressure ahead of next year’s presidential election as criticism from some of football’s most influential organizations continues to intensify.