Infantino's Crisis Meeting in Morocco
According to reports from various media outlets, FIFA President Gianni Infantino has summoned key staff for an emergency meeting in Morocco scheduled for this Wednesday. British newspaper "The Times" and English broadcaster Sky have both confirmed that the beleaguered head of the world football governing body has ordered important personnel to convene in the capital city of Rabat. However, it remains unclear what specific topics Infantino intends to discuss during this gathering, given the mounting concerns surrounding his leadership.
Infantino sparked a wave of outrage in the football community recently when plans emerged regarding the sale of World Cup broadcast rights to investors. Although the FIFA president subsequently retracted the proposal, significant opposition, especially from European factions, has begun to coalesce against him. This current crisis could potentially signify the end of Infantino's presidency at FIFA, as dissent grows both internally and externally.
In recent days, even some of Infantino's closest associates have expressed their grievances regarding his leadership. FIFA Secretary General Mattias Grafström lamented what he described as a "sad and condemnable series of events" and referred to the situation as an "upheaval." Additionally, former coach Arsène Wenger, who serves as FIFA's Director of Global Football Development, has distanced himself from Infantino's decisions. Notably, Carlos Cordeiro, a close confidant and advisor to Infantino, resigned in protest just the previous week.
Rabat hosts FIFA's regional headquarters for Africa, and the city is set to be pivotal in the upcoming FIFA Congress in 2027, as well as the next presidential elections. Infantino made a public appearance in the capital of the co-hosting nation for the 2030 World Cup last week, attending an event with King Mohammed VI.
As reported by spiegel.de.
