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FOOTBALL – Fifa president Gianni Infantino sought support from the Trump administration amid mounting criticism after his abandoned plan to sell a stake in World Cup commercial rights, the New York Post said yesterday, citing sources familiar with the matter.
The Post reported that Infantino had repeatedly tried and failed to reach US President Donald Trump by phone since the proposal collapsed on Friday, and that the Fifa chief felt “isolated” by an avalanche of negative media coverage.
Criticism has intensified over Infantino’s failed plan to spin off Fifa’s commercial assets into a new entity backed by private investors.
Its plan to unlock up to $4.2 billion from private investors by selling a roughly 20% stake in a new entity overseeing competitions including the World Cup ended in retreat on Friday after fierce resistance from stakeholders.
With the idea abandoned, attention has now turned to the potential repercussions for Infantino, whose bid for another term as Fifa president from 2027 to 2031 faces increased scrutiny following the failed initiative.
Trump and Infantino have forged a close relationship, with the two appearing together in this year’s World Cup co-hosted by the US, Mexico and Canada.