news-engine

FIFA president Gianni Infantino has faced growing calls globally to be removed from his position after pushing for the involvement of private equity in the World Cup. With the calls growing louder, even after he backed down from the failed idea, he’s now received the strong backing of President Donald Trump. In a message posted to his Truth Social account on Monday night, President Trump said that FIFA would not ever “be as successful or profitable” moving forward without Infantino in power. “FIFA would be making a terrible mistake if, for any reason, they even considered replacing President Gianni Infantino.He is fantastic, having just presided over the most successful World Cup, by four times, ever presented. If he is gone, it will never be as successful or profitable again! Thank you for your attention to this matter.” President Donald Trump on FIFA president Gianni Infantino (via ESPN) The proposal led to the resignation in protest of Carlos Cordeiro, who had just served as a representative for the soccer body on the White House Task Force for the World Cup. More alarmingly for the soccer federation, UEFA and its participating members said they would boycott future World Cups if FIFA moved forward with the proposal. The proposal led to the resignation in protest of Carlos Cordeiro, who had just served as a representative for the soccer body on the White House Task Force for the World Cup. More alarmingly for the soccer federation, UEFA and its participating members said they would boycott future World Cups if FIFA moved forward with the proposal. Even after Infantino backed off it, UEFA stood by its intention to boycott the next World Cup. UEFA, the Confederation of North, Central America and Caribbean Association Football (CONCACAF) and the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) recently accused FIFA of ‘deception’ and a ‘breach of trust‘ with Infantino placing “himself above the collective that entrusted him with authority.” FIFA has come out in Infantino’s defense, releasing a statement saying that there is a “concerted and ongoing effort” meant to “undermine FIFA and its president.” Amid the public push by UEFA, AFC and Concacaf for Infantino to remove himself from the position, U.S. Soccer and Canada Soccer released a statement calling for “meaningful change” with an emphasis on strengthening FIFA’s “governance, transparency and accountability.” It is certainly not surprising to see President Trump come to Infantino’s defense. Before the World Cup, Infantino presented Trump with the inaugural “FIFA Peace Prize” and he allowed the President of the United States to present the World Cup trophy to Spain and then stand during the photograph taken of the team. The Guardian also previously reported that FIFA opened an office at Trump Tower in New York City. While FIFA paid rent for the past year to rent the office on the 17th floor, per the New York Times, the space sat all but empty. Infantino’s term as FIFA president doesn’t expire until 2027 and he intends to run for the position again with a majority of the members reportedly expected to approve his re-election. Tap Here To Add Sportsnaut As A Trusted Source on Google