FIFA’s Infantino reportedly sought Trump backing after World Cup commercial rights plan abandoned
Infantino seeks US support
FIFA President Gianni Infantino reportedly sought support from the administration of US President Donald Trump following the abandonment of his plan to sell a stake in World Cup commercial rights. Reports indicate Infantino felt “isolated” by negative media coverage after the proposal collapsed. He has reportedly tried and failed to contact Trump by phone since the plan’s collapse.
Infantino was also scheduled for private talks with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio. However, the US Assistant Secretary of State for Global Public Affairs, Dylan Johnson, stated there were “no plans” for Rubio to speak with Infantino and that no call was scheduled for that morning.
Commercial rights plan and scrutiny
The abandoned plan involved unlocking funds from private investors by selling a stake in a new entity that would oversee competitions, including the World Cup. This initiative faced significant resistance from stakeholders, leading to its retreat. The deal was reportedly intended to be anchored by Thrive Capital, a firm founded by Joshua Kushner, brother of Trump’s son-in-law, Jared Kushner.
The failed initiative has intensified scrutiny on Infantino, particularly concerning his bid for another term as FIFA president from 2027 to 2031. Critics have intensified their focus on his leadership following the abandoned plan to spin off the commercial assets of the world football governing body.
The relationship between Trump and Infantino has been highlighted by their appearances together at major football events, including this year’s World Cup, which was co-hosted by the United States, Mexico, and Canada. In December, at the World Cup draw in Washington, Trump received a newly created FIFA Peace Prize at the Kennedy Center.
Congressional investigation and criticism
Jamie Raskin, a leading Democrat on the House judiciary committee, has initiated an investigation into Infantino. Raskin has requested documents detailing ties between FIFA and Trump and his administration, including communications related to gifts, payments, or benefits provided to Trump and his associates. The committee also requested visitor logs for FIFA’s office space in Trump Tower, acquired last year, and asked Infantino to participate in a transcribed interview.
Raskin’s letter to Infantino referenced the Department of Justice’s decision to dismiss indictments of defendants in US government investigations into corruption in global soccer. The letter criticised Infantino’s tenure, stating that his election was meant to mark a departure from a “decades-long culture of corruption and scandals.”
The letter also addressed FIFA’s World Cup ticketing policy, which is currently under investigation by several attorneys general in the United States. The use of dynamic pricing during the tournament drew criticism, with claims of price-gouging and fraudulent sales tactics.
During the World Cup, Trump reportedly made several calls to Infantino to lobby for a review of US striker Folarin Balogun’s red-card suspension before the match against Belgium. FIFA did reverse Balogun’s ban. Trump joined Infantino, along with the leaders of Canada and Mexico, for the World Cup trophy presentation after Spain defeated Argentina in the final. The pair were met with boos from the crowd at New York New Jersey Stadium when they took the field.
Raskin’s letter set a deadline of 9 August for the requested documents and interview. More than 200 FIFA members have endorsed Infantino ahead of the presidential election in March, but some associations, such as the Norwegian football federation, are planning to submit a formal complaint to FIFA ethics investigations regarding Trump’s role in the reversal of Balogun’s ban.
Source: aljazeera.com
Nathan Crowley is the Sports News Writer at NewsUK, covering rugby union, golf and boxing with six years of reporting experience. He moved from regional newspapers into digital sport. He holds a degree in Journalism from Cardiff University and completed an NCTJ diploma. Based in Cardiff, he plays amateur rugby and follows the Six Nations closely. “Speed and accuracy are not a trade-off in sport news.”
