FIFA President Infantino's £47m Pay Plan Collapses After Fierce Backlash
Summary
FIFA President Gianni Infantino reportedly stood to earn nearly £47 million a year under a proposed World Cup investment plan.
The proposal was abandoned after strong opposition from UEFA, national football associations and other confederations.
Infantino said the decision was made to preserve unity within world football.
FIFA President Gianni Infantino has reportedly shelved a controversial proposal that could have increased his annual earnings to almost £47 million ($63 million) following widespread opposition from football governing bodies and member associations. Read original
According to reports, the abandoned plan would have raised Infantino's annual compensation from about £4.5 million to nearly £47 million, equivalent to almost £1 million every week.
The proposal was linked to FIFA's Football Future Enterprise (FFE) project, which aimed to secure about £3.1 billion in private investment.
Reports indicated that JP Morgan was acting as an adviser on the project, while investment firm Thrive Capital, backed by Jared Kushner, was among the investors expected to acquire a 20 percent stake in the venture.
Although Infantino repeatedly insisted that "nobody is selling football," the proposal drew sharp criticism from football authorities around the world.
UEFA reportedly led the opposition, with several of its member associations threatening to boycott future FIFA competitions, including the FIFA World Cup.
The Confederation of North, Central America and Caribbean Association Football (Concacaf), the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) and England's Football Association also opposed the plan.
The Football Association backed UEFA's position, calling for greater transparency in FIFA's leadership.
"It is time for a full and robust review of FIFA's leadership and governance to ensure that the global game is run transparently, for the benefit of all 211 member nations and with the long-term stewardship of football at its heart," the FA said.
Following the backlash, Infantino confirmed that the proposal would not move forward.
"Having listened carefully to all the views, it has become clear that the project has created divisions of a nature that, regardless of the level of support, are no longer in the interest of the objective set out in the first place," he said.
He added that FIFA's priority remains promoting unity within the global football community.
"Our purpose has always been – and will always be – to unite and improve. As a result, this proposal will not proceed," Infantino stated.
The FIFA president also pledged to engage with football stakeholders in the coming weeks to rebuild consensus and continue supporting the growth of the sport worldwide.
Despite the controversy surrounding the failed proposal, reports suggest Infantino is expected to seek another term as FIFA president when the organisation holds its next presidential election in 2027.
