FIFA secretary general Mattias Grafstrom has criticized Gianni Infantino in a leaked memo to staff after the plan to sell stakes in the World Cup was abandoned. The memo, obtained by Sky News, describes the episode as "a sad and reproachable series of events."
Plan Abandoned After Backlash
Infantino's proposal sparked outrage across the football world, leading to a dramatic U-turn. UEFA nations threatened to boycott the tournament unless the plan was reversed, and other confederations also voiced disapproval. Infantino lost the support of his right-hand man, Carlos Cordeiro, who resigned in protest, calling it "a bad deal for football."
Over the weekend, Infantino announced he would scrap the plans. The leaked memo from Grafstrom, who runs the administration and was brought from UEFA when Infantino became president 10 years ago, addresses the turmoil.
Grafstrom's Message to Staff
In the memo, Grafstrom wrote: "A sad and reproachable series of events - which were thankfully concluded with the FFE project permanently abandoned - for as much as we feel dismayed by them, should not overshadow this reality." He urged staff to remain focused on serving football and the 211 member associations.
"Individuals, unstable moments and unfortunate episodes come and go. The institution, its mission and its responsibility towards world football continue," he added. Grafstrom thanked staff for their commitment and resilience, assuring them they would be "defended and safeguarded from the political context."
Loss of Support
The memo comes after reports that the Football Association (FA) were preparing to withdraw support for Infantino's re-election ahead of next year's vote. The Football Association of Wales (FAW) issued a public statement saying Infantino had "lost the confidence of the FAW to remain at the helm of world football."
