FIFA President Seeks Trump Administration Support Amid Criticism Over Failed Commercial Rights Plan

Fifa president Gianni Infantino sought support ⁠from the Trump ⁠administration amid mounting criticism ⁠after his abandoned plan to sell a stake in World Cup commercial rights, the New York Post said on Monday, citing sources familiar with the matter.

European football body Uefa, meanwhile, has threatened football’s governing body with legal action over Infantino’s failed plan, and said any potential evidence should not be destroyed.

And in more bad news for the Fifa chief, the English Football Association is set to write to Infantino withdrawing its support amid the fallout, the Football Association of Wales (FAW) has already withdrawn its support and German Football Federation (DFB) managing director Andreas Rettig said the relationship between the association and football’s governing body was beyond repair.

The ‌Post reported that Infantino had repeatedly tried and failed to reach United States President Donald Trump by phone since the proposal collapsed on Friday, and that the Fifa chief felt “isolated” by an avalanche of negative media coverage.

The Post reported ⁠that Infantino scheduled private talks with Secretary of State Marco ‌Rubio, with two sources familiar with the matter confirming that the Fifa boss will hold a call ‌with America’s top diplomat, though another official has since denied that talks would proceed.

Infantino’s secretive proposal to raise US$4.2 billion from investors including the New York investment firm of Joshua Kushner was dropped early on Saturday, days after the revelation in media reports provoked a global furore.