FIFA chief Infantino apologises over World Cup investment plan but fails to satisfy critics

File Image: Gianni Infantino apologised to council members over his handling of an abandoned World Cup investment proposal. | Photo Credit: REUTERS

FIFA president Gianni Infantino apologised to members of the organisation’s ruling council on Thursday over his handling of a controversial World Cup investment proposal but failed to address several concerns raised by European football officials.

During the three-and-a-half-hour meeting in Zurich, Infantino did not provide documents relating to his abandoned 4.2 billion dollar plan to sell a stake in FIFA’s World Cup commercial operations to private investors.

Officials also received no further clarification regarding the reversal of United States forward Folarin Balogun’s suspension during the World Cup, following an intervention by US President Donald Trump.

FIFA, however, agreed to review whether it should continue presenting its peace prize, which was introduced last year and awarded to Trump in December.

FIFA vice-president Debbie Hewitt, who also chairs the English Football Association, said Infantino had asked European officials to submit written questions concerning the investment proposal.

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Hewitt questioned his suitability to continue as FIFA president if he failed to provide the requested explanations.

German football federation president Bernd Neuendorf, one of eight UEFA representatives on the 37-member FIFA Council, also expressed dissatisfaction with the discussions.

Neuendorf called for leadership capable of restoring FIFA’s reputation, while UEFA continued its efforts to challenge Infantino ahead of the presidential election in March 2027.

Infantino opened Thursday’s meeting by apologising to council members for failing to consult them before pursuing the investment proposal involving Joshua Kushner.

The plan, which emerged shortly after the World Cup final in July, was subsequently abandoned following widespread opposition.

UEFA has also approached courts in the United States seeking access to evidence for a potential criminal complaint against Infantino in Switzerland.

Its filings raise allegations of possible financial mismanagement concerning the valuation of the proposed subsidiary overseeing FIFA’s tournament commercial rights.

Investors led by Joshua Kushner, brother of Trump’s son-in-law Jared Kushner, were expected to acquire at least a 20 per cent stake in the venture.