Donald Trump denies talks with FIFA president over sell-off plan
Donald Trump has denied speaking with FIFA president Gianni Infantino regarding his controversial sell-off plan for FIFA, reports BritPanorama.
Infantino has faced significant backlash after proposing the creation of FIFA Forward Enterprise (FFE), which aims to sell a 20 per cent stake to private investors—a move that has jeopardised his position amid rising criticism.
During a cabinet meeting, Trump was questioned by reporters about his interactions with Infantino. “No, I never spoke to him,” Trump stated, clarifying his lack of engagement with the FIFA president.
The two had previous dealings during the World Cup, when Trump requested Infantino to review a red card issued to US striker Folarian Balogun, which resulted in Balogun being able to play against Belgium after his one-match ban was suspended.
Infantino’s latest proposal to establish the FFE has backfired, drawing ire from multiple quarters. UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham stated that Infantino is “the wrong man” to lead FIFA, calling the sell-off suggestion “outrageous” and indicative of a fundamental misunderstanding of the sport’s essence.
Burnham has previously described FIFA as “sell-outs” and asserted that football should remain with the people who support it. He emphasised, “Football does not belong to investors. It belongs to the people who fill the stands and who stand on the touchline week in, week out, rain or shine.”
Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy echoed the Prime Minister’s sentiments, supporting Burnham’s principled stance against the plans, asserting that “football belongs to the fans, not billionaire investors.” UEFA has also stated that its 55 member nations will boycott any FIFA tournament if the sell-off goes ahead.
The FA declared its solidarity with UEFA, opposing FIFA’s plans by stating, “The FIFA World Cup belongs to football and always will.”
This ongoing dispute highlights the tensions between commercial interests and the traditional values of football, underscoring how the sport’s governance faces increasing scrutiny amid evolving dynamics in global sports.
