FIFA President Infantino Attends U-20 Women's World Cup Opening Amid Ongoing Pressure Over Abandoned Profit Sale Plan

Fifa president Gianni Infantino has arrived at the opening of the Under-20 Women’s World Cup as he faces continuing pressure since abandoning his plan to sell off World Cup profits.

Infantino was seen in the stands speaking with Polish football federation president Cezary Kulesza as host nation Poland faced Argentina on the opening day of the tournament on Saturday.

Infantino had mostly kept out of the spotlight in the weeks since his World Cup sell-off plan fell apart amid opposition from many Fifa member nations and some of his own officials.

The European nations – a quarter of the 24-team field – backed down on a boycott threat last week, citing assurances from Fifa that the plan would not be revived.

Legal action over the original attempt rumbles on and Europe has a leading role in efforts to oust Infantino ahead of next year’s Fifa election.

A court filing by Fifa on Thursday accused Uefa of running a “smear campaign against Fifa and its leadership” as the European football body seeks discovery of evidence related to the Fifa Forward Enterprise plan.