Rabat: FIFA President Gianni Infantino retained his position after a prolonged emergency meeting in Morocco, lasting over seven hours. According to Thai News Agency, the FIFA executive board, including Secretary General Matthias Grafstr¶m, released a joint statement expressing their full support for Infantino's continued leadership.
The controversy began with the revelation of a proposed sale of commercial shares in the World Cup, disclosed publicly without consulting FIFA's member associations. The proposal included a deadline and a substantial incentive of £30.1 million, pressuring national associations to vote in favor.
Following widespread backlash, Infantino and Grafstr¶m issued a joint apology to national football associations, withdrawing the plan and admitting that the handling of the situation was inadequate. They acknowledged the need for better processes in the future.
In response to criticism, FIFA issued a statement warning against attacks that could harm the organization's integrity and reputation, indicating that necessary measures would be taken to protect FIFA's standing.