Gianni Infantino's growing World Cup controversy has taken another dramatic turn after senior European football figures reportedly identified the man they believe could challenge the FIFA president's grip on power.
With the governing body engulfed in backlash over plans to open the commercial rights to the World Cup and other flagship tournaments to outside investors, attention is now turning to who could oppose the Swiss official when FIFA elects its next president.
According to Politico, influential figures within European football believe Paris Saint-Germain president Nasser Al-Khelaifi has emerged as the leading candidate capable of mounting a serious challenge to Infantino ahead of the FIFA presidential election in March 2027.
The report represents the latest headache for Infantino, whose controversial commercial proposals have already sparked fierce criticism from UEFA and other leading voices across the game.
At the centre of the dispute is FIFA's plan to establish a new commercial company, FIFA Forward Enterprise (FFE), which would oversee the business interests of competitions including the men's and women's World Cup.
FIFA has confirmed it wants to invite external investors to purchase minority, non-controlling stakes in the new venture, which has been valued at around £15billion.
Investment firm Thrive Eternal, founded by Joshua Kushner - the brother of Donald Trump's son-in-law Jared Kushner - is reportedly expected to lead the fundraising process.
Infantino has defended the proposal, insisting it would strengthen football globally rather than weaken FIFA's authority.
The 56-year-old says the project is designed to "democratise football worldwide" by generating fresh revenue that can be redistributed among FIFA's 211 member associations.
Under the proposals, member nations have been told they could receive funding worth up to £30.1million if they support the initiative before the revised deadline.
However, the plans have been met with an increasingly hostile response throughout Europe.
UEFA has issued a series of strongly-worded statements criticising both the proposal itself and the speed at which FIFA is attempting to push it through, while reports have suggested some European nations could even consider boycotting future World Cups should relations deteriorate further.
LATEST SPORTS NEWS:
- Cricket club suspend player accused of cheating saying he will not feature 'for the foreseeable future'
- Gianni Infantino breaks silence after FIFA World Cup sell-off plan sparks furious backlash
- Inside the decline of Jack Grealish with Man City forward out in the wilderness at 30
That political unrest has now intensified speculation over Infantino's future.
Al-Khelaifi, meanwhile, is already one of the most influential figures in world football.
Alongside serving as president of Paris Saint-Germain, the Qatari businessman is chairman of Qatar Sports Investments and BeIN Media Group.
He also chairs the European Club Association while holding seats on both UEFA's Executive Committee and FIFA Council.
Infantino has served as FIFA president without opposition since replacing Sepp Blatter in 2016 and is seeking a third full term that would keep him in office until 2031.
Yet conversations over a possible challenger are believed to have gathered pace as frustration over FIFA's latest plans continues to grow.
One European Union official said: "The stars have aligned." They added: "Whether he steps up is another thing."
Despite the speculation, Al-Khelaifi's camp has attempted to cool suggestions he could enter the race.
A representative for the PSG president told the publication he has "no ambition, no intention, no interest" in becoming FIFA president.
Even so, the organisation Al-Khelaifi leads has been among the loudest critics of Infantino's proposals.
In a strongly-worded statement, the European Club Association said it had learned of the plans through media reports rather than direct consultation, despite representing more than 850 clubs across Europe.
The organisation said it was "wholly appropriate" that clubs should have been fully consulted before proposals capable of reshaping football's commercial future were unveiled.
The statement added: "European Football Clubs (EFC) notes with serious concern the sudden, unilateral media briefings and announcement by FIFA about a potential new corporate structure for the commercialisation of certain football competitions.
"As an institution that represents over 850 football clubs – whose member clubs, their players and communities are fundamental participants in football worldwide, not least in FIFA's competitions including all the international club competitions – it would be wholly appropriate for EFC to be fully consulted on a proposal of such magnitude.
"EFC learned about this proposal in the same way as most global football stakeholders – without warning and through the media."
Our Standards: The GB News Editorial Charter
from GB News https://ift.tt/mNAZaSz
via IFTTT
Thank you for your message!