FIFA president Gianni Infantino has called senior officials to crisis talks in Morocco as pressure mounts on his position. The emergency meeting follows accusations of blackmail from Jordan FA president Ali bin Hussein, amid plans to sell £3.1billion in World Cup stakes.
Accusations and Backlash
Hussein's allegations have triggered the talks, which will involve all senior FIFA officials. Infantino scrapped the proposals after several football associations threatened to boycott the World Cup if the plan proceeded. UEFA and CONCACAF have both called for Infantino to step down, with Jordan becoming the first Asian nation to do the same, bringing the total to 91 countries urging his exit. To oust the president, 106 nations must back the motion.
Jordan FA President's Statement
Hussein argued that FIFA has "no shortage of issues." He detailed Jordan's struggles, including visa denials for fans, taxation by the US government, and unpaid reward money from the Arab Cup. He claimed FIFA refused to help until he was verbally told that endorsing Infantino would aid his association. Hussein said, "The whole situation amounts to blackmail and we refuse to give in to that."
Internal Turmoil
The meeting is expected on Wednesday as FIFA struggles internally. Last week, senior adviser Carlos Cordeiro resigned, calling the plan a "bad deal for football." Arsene Wenger, FIFA's chief of global football development, said its withdrawal was "absolutely necessary and beyond question," adding, "I firmly believe in an independent FIFA that serves our game with commitment, transparency, and integrity." Secretary general Mattias Grafstrom labelled the events a "sad and reproachable series of events...which thankfully concluded with the project being permanently abandoned."
