GENEVA – In a significant development within FIFA’s governance, the organization’s vice presidents from Europe and North America have proposed an additional $10 million disbursement to each of FIFA’s member federations. This recommendation follows a successful World Cup, which has reportedly elevated FIFA’s cash reserves to approximately $6 billion. UEFA President Aleksander Ceferin and CONCACAF President Victor Montagliani conveyed this proposal in a letter addressed to FIFA President Gianni Infantino, which was shared with The Associated Press.
This proposed “one-off release” would amount to a staggering total of $2.1 billion, benefitting all 211 federations under FIFA’s umbrella. Ceferin and Montagliani have indicated that they want to remove Infantino from his position, either before or during the FIFA presidential election scheduled for March, due to his controversial attempts to sell stakes in the tournament to private investors.
The backlash against Infantino intensified following his plans to engage Joshua Kushner, brother of Jared Kushner—who is closely associated with former President Donald Trump—in this investment endeavor. Infantino, who has maintained close ties with Trump, has faced scrutiny and vocal opposition from various soccer leaders around the globe.
The letter emphasizes that the federations would continue to receive promised FIFA funding—$20 million each through 2030—even if Infantino is no longer at the helm. This assurance seems strategically crafted to maintain support among FIFA members who will ultimately play a role in electing the next president.
Ceferin and Montagliani have called for a comprehensive and independent review of FIFA’s finances ahead of an upcoming meeting on October 15 in Zurich. This assessment aims to determine the sustainable amount of funding that can be responsibly allocated to member federations.
This letter not only seeks to consolidate support against Infantino but also signals a robust challenge to his leadership, especially in light of the FIFA Council meeting scheduled for next month. The European and North American leaders are expected to be pivotal figures in shaping the conversation around this leadership transition.
Moreover, the Asian Football Confederation has also criticized Infantino’s recent actions, indicating a growing sentiment of discontent towards his leadership. Conversely, FIFA’s supporters, particularly from South America and Africa, have rallied behind Infantino, complicating the political landscape as he attempts to secure his position.
Looking ahead, FIFA has established a deadline of November 18 for candidates to declare their intention to run in the presidential election, set to take place four months later in Rabat, Morocco. Infantino appeared to be on track for a re-election unopposed until the controversy over private investments surfaced, which has now raised questions about potential rival candidates.
Speculation about potential challengers has centered around figures such as Montagliani and Nasser al-Khelaifi, the Qatari president of Paris Saint-Germain and a member of UEFA’s executive committee. However, both have not publicly indicated any intention to run against Infantino, who continues to enjoy support from the Qatari soccer federation.
In the realm of legal implications, UEFA has sought court authorization in both Manhattan and Florida to obtain evidence from Kushner’s investment firm and FIFA regarding the controversial $20 billion commercial spinoff initiative, known as FIFA Forward Enterprise (FFE). UEFA is considering a potential criminal complaint against Infantino, focusing on allegations of financial mismanagement in FIFA’s home country of Switzerland.
As FIFA navigates these turbulent waters, the coming months will be crucial in determining its leadership and future direction. The interplay of financial interests, governance, and global soccer politics is set to intensify as the election approaches.
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