Under-fire FIFA President Gianni Infantino has apologised for trying to sell off stakes in the World Cup to private investors, promising that it will not happen again. Late Wednesday, FIFA sent out a letter – signed by Infantino and general secretary Mattias Grafström – to all members associations. “The Secretary General and the Executive Board confirm their full support for FIFA President Gianni Infantino, as the sole representative elected by FIFA’s 211 member associations,” it read, among other things. They also apologised for plans to sell World Cup shares to private investors. “We sincerely apologise for these mistakes and promise that they will not happen again. With this in mind, we will conduct the necessary review, and a report will be presented to the FIFA Council at its next scheduled meeting.” FIFA then released an official statement in which Infantino also admitted that the plans were a mistake, but also counterattacks: “With the project withdrawn, it was agreed that FIFA will no longer tolerate any attacks on its integrity, good governance and the rule of law, and that it will take all necessary measures to protect and preserve its name and reputation,” part of the statement read. Meanwhile, the European football union, UEFA, have maintained that they are not backing off on their decision to withdraw from all FIFA competitions until all their conditions are met following a failed attempt by FIFA to sell off stakes in the World Cup to private investors. After UEFA announced that their member countries would boycott all FIFA competitions, Gianni Infantino withdrew his proposal to sell shares in the World Cup. Infantino has since apologized for the entire process. But despite the FIFA president canceling his plans, UEFA’s boycott remains, the federation announced. In a statement to Sky News, UEFA said that the conditions for lifting its boycott of the World Cup have not yet been met, and that confidence in Infantino continues to be lacking. “UEFA’s member associations were very clear about the conditions for re-participating in FIFA competitions. Firstly, the proposal to sell rights to the major tournaments would be withdrawn, and secondly, guarantees would be given that attempts to change or distort the sport in a similar way would never happen again,” said UEFA. “These conditions have not been met. Furthermore, UEFA made it abundantly clear in its statement on Saturday that confidence in Gianni Infantino’s leadership as FIFA President has been lost. That position stands.” The African body, CAF, that had earlier endorsed Infantino’s proposal on the FIFA Forward Enterprise (FFE) said yesterday that it unanimously endorsed the “Joint Update” (stepping down the project) by the FIFA President Gianni Infantino and Secretary General Mattias Grafström.
Don't miss out on breaking stories and in-depth articles.
