FIFA Apologizes over Abandoned World Cup Rights Plan

FIFA apologized to its member associations on Wednesday for mistakes made over its abandoned proposal to sell part of the World Cup’s commercial rights, while its leadership reaffirmed its support for President Gianni Infantino after an emergency meeting in Rabat, Morocco.

The plan involved selling a 20% stake in a new commercial rights company to private investors in a deal that would have raised about $4.2bn. It was withdrawn last Friday following fierce criticism.

FIFA acknowledged that its Council and member associations may have felt excluded from the decision-making process and said the matter should have been handled differently. It also promised a review.

The proposal drew strong opposition from UEFA and other football bodies. Several European federations withdrew their support for Infantino ahead of next March’s presidential election, while UEFA said it had lost confidence in his leadership.

Several national associations, particularly in Africa and Asia, have nevertheless declared their support for Infantino. No clear rival candidate has yet emerged.

(Reuters, bak)