After scrapping the investment scheme, Gianni Infantino is facing intense pressure as he seeks a fourth term as Fifa president at March’s Congress.
Uefa was the first major body to respond, accusing Infantino of breaking his promises. In a statement, it said Fifa’s current leadership has lost the confidence of Uefa and many others in the football community. Uefa recalled Infantino’s 2016 pledges about transparency and that Fifa’s money belongs to its member associations and must serve football’s development, arguing he failed on both counts and pursued an opaque, backroom arrangement.
Later on Saturday, Concacaf echoed the criticism, saying accountability is not optional and questioning how the proposal advanced and who should be held responsible when those charged with safeguarding the game feel they cannot do so from within.
UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham, the first leader of a major country to urge Infantino to resign, said Fifa was right to reverse course.
Qatar’s football association became the first to publicly support Infantino, even as it welcomed the decision to drop the investment plans. Its president, Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa bin Ahmed Al Thani, said the proposal had merits but praised the choice to prioritise unity among member associations, adding that the Qatar FA fully supports Infantino’s efforts to grow and strengthen the game globally.
The choice of Qatar as 2022 World Cup host was controversial given its human rights record and treatment of LGBTQ+ people. On the eve of the tournament, Infantino defended Qatar, arguing European nations should reflect on their own histories rather than focus on migrant worker issues in the host country.