President Infantino apologized to the FIFA Council

President Infantino apologized to the FIFA Council

According to Vnexpress.

Context

Gianni Infantino, the president of FIFA, has found himself at the center of a scandal over his controversial decisions regarding the management of rights to tournaments. His initiative to create a subsidiary of FFE to attract private investors was canceled under pressure from European associations, highlighting his complex relationship with key players in the world of football.

Why is this important

Gianni Infantino's apology to the FIFA Council underlines the growing discontent among European football associations. His plans to attract private investors have sparked public concern and criticism, casting doubt on his leadership of FIFA. With pressure from organizations such as UEFA, Infantino risks losing the support of key members of the football community.

Key takeaways

• President Infantino apologized to the FIFA Council.
• FIFA President Gianni Infantino has apologized to the FIFA Council for his controversial decisions regarding the management of rights to major tournaments and has faced pressure from European football associations.
• Chủ tịch Infantino xin lỗi trước Hội đồng FIFA.

At a FIFA Council meeting on October 15, President Gianni Infantino began by apologizing to members of the organization, acknowledging that his plans to attract private investors had caused unexpected backlash and public concern. However, despite the apology, Infantino did not provide any additional details or documents regarding his initiatives. Under pressure from European football executives, he invited them to ask questions in writing.

Debbie Hewitt, chairman of the FA, said: "This man must answer these questions. If he does not answer, he has no right to remain president of FIFA." Bernd Neuendorf, president of the German Football Association, expressed disappointment at the lack of clear answers from Infantino, stressing that FIFA needs an honest leader to restore its lost reputation.

In July, Infantino shocked the football community by announcing plans to create a subsidiary, FFE, to manage the commercial rights of major tournaments. This company was supposed to sell at least 20% of the shares to private investors, among whom was Joshua Kushner, the brother of Donald Trump's son-in-law, Jared Kushner. However, under pressure from many football associations, especially in Europe, the FIFA president was forced to abandon this idea. However, this has not stopped growing discontent and calls for his resignation.


UEFA, which is leading the campaign to remove Infantino, is seeking to force his resignation before or during the FIFA presidential election, which is scheduled for March 2027. The organization also filed a lawsuit in US court to gain the right to collect evidence for the criminal case against Infantino in Switzerland, where FIFA is headquartered and the president's homeland. The allegations relate to the management in connection with its plans to create FFE.

Infantino and FIFA also lost credibility following the incident involving Florin Balogun, who took part in the USA's match against Belgium in the round of 16 of the 2026 World Cup when he should have been suspended for a red card received in the previous match against Bosnia and Herzegovina. Donald Trump reportedly called Infantino asking him to reconsider the decision. As a result, the disciplinary commission temporarily suspended the automatic punishment, sparking international controversy.

At yesterday's hearing, Infantino did not provide information about the reasons for the suspension of Balogun's sentence or how Trump's intervention influenced the decision. However, the president and the FIFA Council will discuss whether to go ahead with the peace prize, which was planned for Trump in December 2025.

What happens next

After the FIFA Council meeting, Infantino is expected to face more questions and demands for transparency in his initiatives. Failure to provide clear answers could lead to further calls for his resignation. With pressure mounting from European football associations, his future as FIFA president remains in doubt.

Frequently Asked Questions

What happened at the FIFA Council meeting on October 15?

President Gianni Infantino has apologized to FIFA members for his plans to attract private investors, which caused public concern.

Who confirmed dissatisfaction with Infantino's actions?

Debbie Hewitt, chairman of the FA, and Bernd Neuendorff, president of the German Football Association, expressed disappointment at the lack of clear answers from Infantino.

Why did Infantino apologize now?

The apology came after unexpected backlash and public concern over his initiative to attract private investors.

What changes are expected in FIFA after this incident?

UEFA is campaigning to remove Infantino and aims to force his resignation before the FIFA presidential election in March 2027.

What happened to Infantino's plans to create a subsidiary of FFE?

Under pressure from football associations, especially in Europe, Infantino was forced to abandon the idea of ​​creating a subsidiary to manage the commercial rights of the tournaments.

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