FIFA President Gianni Infantino has found himself embattled and in danger of being ousted from his role. Infantino was forced to abandon his plan to sell a stake in future World Cups to private investors after it received major backlash from soccer federations internationally.
However, Infantino has a staunch supporter in U.S. President Donald Trump, who took to Truth Social to issue a warning to Infantino’s detractors.
“FIFA would be making a terrible mistake if, for any reason, they even considered replacing President Gianni Infantino,” the President posted, per ESPN.
“He is fantastic, having just presided over the most successful World Cup, by four times, ever presented. If he is gone, it will never be as successful or profitable again! Thank you for your attention to this matter. President DJT.”
Despite Trump’s support, UEFA, Concacaf, and the AFC, the federations representing Europe, North America, and Asia, shared a statement declaring that Infantino’s failed plan was a “fundamental breach of trust.”
The federations added, “When trust is broken through deception, when an individual places himself above the collective that entrusted him with authority, that duty has been abandoned.”
“Football is the world’s greatest shared passion. It belongs to no individual and no institution. It belongs to the players, the fans, the clubs, the member associations and every institution entrusted with safeguarding its future. It is in that spirit, as confederations representing its members, that we speak collectively today,” the statement read.
U.S. Soccer also called for a change to be made in FIFA’s leadership.
“U.S. Soccer, Canada Soccer, CFU (Caribbean Football Union) and UNCAF (Central American Football Union) stand together, along with our colleagues around the world, in calling for meaningful change that strengthens FIFA’s governance, transparency and accountability.”
About Qwame Skinner
Qwame Skinner has loved both writing and sports his entire life. In addition to his sports coverage at Comeback Media, Qwame writes novels, and his debut; The First Casualty, an adult fantasy, is out now.