A chain of errors that would revolutionize FIFA: will Gianni Infantino fall?

The belief was established, because the evidence indicated it, that in Fifa everything is resolved with money. For years, control was guaranteed by benefiting each of the 211 federations with generous income in exchange for votes, until the unthinkable happened: the coffers were filled and now they only want power.  

The crown jewel has been the Men’s World Cup, which has just left Fifa with record revenues of 13 billion dollars in a four-year cycle. And it was precisely the cause of discord.

Fifa found a gold mine that, under other circumstances, would have received resounding support.

“It is your chance to advance if a majority decides. Before electing me, they could expect to receive 250,000 dollars a year or 3 million in three cycles —12 years—. Now with Fifa Forward Enterprise, they will receive up to 86 million in the same period, an increase of almost 2,800 percent and for the first time Fifa will commercialize its events,” said Infantino, full of pride, about the subsidiary that planned an initial capital raising of up to US$4.2 billion, with a valuation of US$20 billion through long-term investors with minority stakes.

He said that FFE funds would be distributed to federations through Fifa Forward, which would increase from US$8,000,000 per federation in 2023-2026 to 20 million in 2027-2030.

And here lies the reason for the discomfort: Thrive Eternal, the capital holding company behind FFE, has as one of its founders a brother-in-law of Donald Trump’s daughter, one of the pieces, in a process in which J. P. Morgan will collaborate. All Americans, recently so close to Infantino.

To top off the discomfort, the head of Fifa thought to pressure with a letter in which he set a deadline for the federations’ decision to back his millionaire offer, which was interpreted as a bribe. And yes. In his eagerness to quickly sign the lucrative alliance, he lost sight of the opportunity it gave his detractors to expose him.

“No national team from Uefa will participate in any Fifa competition while these proposals remain in place, unless such proposal has been completely abandoned and binding guarantees have been given that Fifa will never again open its governance or competitions to private ownership,” announced Uefa.

“It is irresponsible and indefensible. This is not only a profound leadership failure, but a renunciation of Fifa’s duty as guardian of world football,” stated the confederation that will host the 2030 World Cup in Spain (current world champion), Portugal, and Morocco, nothing less than a checkmate to Infantino.

Despite the threat of not participating in upcoming events such as the U-20 and U-17 women’s World Cups, as well as the senior women’s in Brazil in 2027.

The first to join the boycott was Concacaf, followed by the Asian Confederation and even Conmebol, so loyal to the Swiss, did not confirm its support. Thus, there was only one possible outcome: “Our purpose has always been —and always will be— to unite and improve. Consequently, this proposal will not move forward,” said Infantino in a statement. Checkmate.

Now we will have to see the cost of the rebellion. The Spaniards fear they will be stripped of the venue for a possible final in 2030 and it will be given to Morocco —as a response to African loyalty—, but that would be the lesser evil. It is unlikely that the skillful Infantino would make the same mistake again. In fact, his fear is that, in March next year, he will run for election and could pay dearly for this provocation.

Uefa wants a strong candidate to defeat him and is considering Nasser al-Khelaifi, president of PSG, of the Qatar Tennis Federation, Qatar Sports Investments and beIN Media Group, although it is said he is not interested, for now, in the position. Another option is Dariusz Mioduski, owner of Legia Warsaw.

JENNY GAMEZ

SPORTS EDITOR