Gianni Infantino faces an uncertain future as FIFA president after his plan to sell off the World Cup triggered a tremendous backlash, but a viable challenger to his throne has yet to emerge.
UEFA and CONCACAF Reject Proposal
European football's governing body UEFA met virtually on Thursday and issued a powerful statement declaring their willingness to boycott future FIFA tournaments. UEFA called Infantino's secretive behavior around the proposal to invite third-party investment in tournaments 'irresponsible and indefensible,' accusing him of 'a profound failure of leadership' and of seeing his first duty as 'to maximise financial return.'
Infantino's attempts to buy off FIFA members by offering $40m (£30m) if they back his plan backfired, with CONCACAF following UEFA's lead later on Thursday. CONCACAF rejected the proposal, criticizing the 'lack of due process' at FIFA.
No Credible Challenger Yet
Just 13 days ago, the Guardian reported that more than 200 of FIFA's 211 members had formally endorsed Infantino for re-election for a fourth term. He was set to run unchallenged in March, but his efforts may have torpedoed his position. However, the only thing missing is a credible challenger. Paris Saint-Germain president Nasser Al-Khelaifi had garnered some support, but a source said he has 'absolutely no ambition, no intention, nor any interest in this role at FIFA.'
UEFA chief Aleksander Ceferin has emerged as the biggest thorn in Infantino's side but reportedly lacks the desire to mount a leadership challenge. Legia Warsaw president Dariusz Mioduski has been backed by several associations, while CONCACAF president Victor Montagliani and CAF's Patrice Motsepe may also lack desire to run.
Deadline and Potential Regime Change
Contenders have until November 18 to attract supporters and put forward their names. The fiery nature of UEFA's statement suggests they could be seeking regime change at FIFA. The statement read: 'We unanimously and unequivocally reject FIFA’s proposal to transfer ownership interests in the World Cup and other FIFA competitions to private investors. The World Cup cannot be treated as an investment product. ... It is both irresponsible and indefensible that a proposal of such significance for football was conceived in secret... This is not merely a profound failure of leadership, but an abdication of FIFA’s duty as the custodian of world football.'
