Fifa president Infantino faces calls to quit over World Cup sell-off plan

Fifa president Gianni Infantino is facing significant pressure to resign following revelations of secret plans to sell stakes in a new commercial entity that would manage the World Cup to private investors. The proposed investors reportedly include individuals connected to Donald Trump. The plan has drawn sharp criticism from senior Fifa officials, including chief operating officer Kevin Lamour, global development chief Arsene Wenger, and Infantino's personal advisor Carlos Cordeiro, who denounced the lack of consultation.

Ebru Koksal, a former investment banker and now chair of Women in Football, as well as a former advisor to Fifa and Uefa, stated that the current crisis underscores the urgent need for independent non-executive directors within global sports organizations. She argued that while presidents and owners often prefer to surround themselves with individuals from within the football ecosystem, this approach leads to a lack of checks and balances and genuine independent challenge. Koksal suggested that bringing in experienced non-executive directors from outside the sport, such as former CEOs of FTSE 100 companies, would provide invaluable expertise in governance, strategy, risk management, and organizational transformation, complementing existing football knowledge.

The World Cup sell-off plan has sparked a considerable backlash, with questions arising about Fifa's motivation for seeking external capital when it possesses billions in reserves. Koksal noted that the case for private investment was not clearly articulated. This controversy marks the latest in a series of issues during Infantino's presidency, which have included disputes with leagues, clubs, and player unions over the expansion of Fifa competitions and the commercialization of tournaments.

In response to the Fifa crisis, Women in Football has relaunched its Open Doors Agenda. This initiative advocates for greater equality in the sport and proposes broader recommendations for governance best practices, including transparent recruitment processes, term limits for officials, and clear reporting systems to ensure genuine accountability. Koksal emphasized that transparent recruitment, based on rigorous criteria rather than election, would bring in necessary skill sets and individuals without ulterior motives, focused solely on their fiduciary duties.