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Embattled FIFA president Gianni Infantino has defied growing calls to resign, issuing a threat to any future questions over his \u201cintegrity\u201d.<\/p>\n
However, the 56-year old has issued an apology to FIFA Council members over the ill-fated plan to sell a stake in a new commercial venture that would have taken control of the World Cup and other major tournaments.<\/p>\n
The proposal, named the FIFA Forward Enterprise (FFE), was mooted to raise up to $4.2 billion, provide $20 million for all 211 FIFA Member Nations \u2013 and net Infantino a $30 million salary.<\/p>\n
Watch the biggest Aussie sports & the best from overseas LIVE on Kayo Sports | New to Kayo? Join now and get your first month for just $1.<\/a><\/i><\/b><\/p>\n The fallout has seen pressure continue to mount on the Swiss administrator, as world football turns its back on its most powerful figure.<\/p>\n The strongest critique of all came from Portuguese great Luis Figo, who described the president\u2019s announcement of the plan as \u201cthe lowest, most deceitful and cravenly self-interested behaviour I have ever witnessed\u201d.<\/span><\/p>\n LATEST FIFA NEWS<\/b><\/p>\n \u2018BLACKMAIL\u2019: Senior figures turn on embattled FIFA boss<\/a><\/i><\/b><\/p>\n \u2018SHABBY, BACK-ROOM DEAL\u2019: UEFA escalates feud with legal threat<\/a><\/i><\/b><\/p>\n KEY ALLY EMERGES: Surprise twist in world football power struggle<\/a><\/i><\/b><\/p>\n Infantino has spent recent weeks in Morocco attempting damage control after the controversial proposal sparked a football civil war led by European body UEFA.<\/p>\n He staged a crisis meeting on Wednesday at FIFA\u2019s African headquarters in Rabat, in which he attempted to convince federation directors he remains the man to lead the world game.<\/p>\n In a letter to member nations following the meeting, which has since been leaked, Infantino and FIFA Secretary-General Mattias Grafstr\u00f6m issued an apology for the proposal.<\/p>\n \u201cIn this context, we acknowledge mistakes were made in the process of the proposed establishment of FIFA Forward Enterprise (FFE),\u201d the statement reads.<\/p>\n \u201cIt was certainly not the intention for the FIFA Council and FIFA Member Associations to feel excluded from the process and it should have been handled differently. We acknowledge that errors were also made after the proposal was leaked to media.<\/p>\n \u201cWe sincerely apologise for these errors and commit to them not happening again. With this in mind, we will conduct a necessary review, and a report will be presented to the FIFA Council at its next scheduled meeting.\u201d<\/p>\n However, the statement also hit back at ongoing criticism of FIFA and Infantion, saying the body would \u201csafeguard its name and reputation\u201d against further attacks.<\/p>\n \u201cWith the project withdrawn, FIFA will no longer tolerate any attacks on its integrity, good governance and due process and will take all necessary measures to protect and safeguard its name and reputation,\u201d it reads.<\/p>\n \u201cThere are always lessons to be learned, and we will continue to improve our processes in light of this experience. <\/p>\n \u201cIn this instance, however, it is important to stress that, although mistakes were made, everything that was done, was done in full compliance with the FIFA regulatory framework.\u201d<\/p>\n The flood of allegations against the scandal-plagued head of world football is showing no signs of abating.<\/p>\n It has been reported by The Times<\/a> that Infantino also promised Morocco the 2030 World Cup final if they supported his bid to remain at the helm in the face of intense scrutiny.<\/p>\n The tournament is set to be hosted across six countries, with the bulk of matches to be held in Morocco, Portugal and Spain.<\/p>\n However, the report has been denied, with a FIFA spokesperson telling The Times it was \u201cfalse and misleading\u201d to claim any promises regarding the 2030 final were made.<\/p>\n He has also reportedly contacted several other member nations to endorse him, with responses ranging from silence \u2013 including from former strong backers Saudi Arabia \u2013 to outright hostility.<\/p>\n Several UEFA countries, including Wales, Finland, Sweden and Serbia, have withdrawn letters supporting his presidential re-election.<\/p>\n Infantino\u2019s desperation for support also extends to past players, with reports he has attempted to convince \u201cFIFA legends\u201d to support him.<\/p>\n The group, which features some of world football\u2019s most iconic names, have previously been paid by the body to appear at major events.<\/p>\n However, the ploy has thus far been unsuccessful, with Portuguese great and UEFA adviser Luis Figo pulling no punches in a scathing attack on Infantino.<\/p>\n \u201cI could write 10,000 words on the problems at FIFA. But the solution needs only three: Infantino must go,\u201d Figo wrote in The Daily Mail<\/a>.<\/p>\n \u201cWhat I have seen exposed in the last 10 days is the lowest, most deceitful and cravenly self-interested behaviour I have ever witnessed.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThe man who would do that \u2013 the man who would try to force through such major changes just to enrich himself and his friends \u2013 is a relic of the game\u2019s past and should have no part in its future.\u201d<\/p>\n Figo described the plan to sell off a stake in the World Cup to investors as a \u201cgrubby, underhand plot\u201d, saying his resignation would come \u201ctoo late to save his dignity\u201d but \u201cnot too late to save football\u201d.<\/p>\n Figo, who ran against Sepp Blatter for the FIFA presidency in January 2015 months before his resignation amid a corruption firestorm, is rumoured to be a potential candidate to replace Infantino.<\/p>\n Canadian prime minister Mark Carney is another to publicly condemn Infantino, mere weeks after his country co-hosted the 2026 World Cup.<\/p>\n Carney said the sell-off plan\u2019s disastrous fallout \u201cshould be fatal\u201d for his job.<\/p>\n \u201cCertainly I don\u2019t have confidence in Mr Infantino,\u201d he added.<\/p>\n However, according to a FIFA press release, the federation\u2019s board has \u201creaffirmed their full support\u201d for Infantino following the meeting, describing it as \u201cconstructive and positive\u201d.<\/p>\n \u201cFIFA\u2019s top management is fully confident that the outcomes of today\u2019s meeting will strengthen FIFA\u2019s governance, help restore confidence in the organisation and enable us to prepare for the major events and challenges ahead in a united and transparent manner while continuing our mission to develop the game around the world,\u201d the statement reads.<\/p>\n \u201cThe meeting also addressed the FIFA Forward Enterprise (FFE) proposal, where mistakes made were acknowledged. It was agreed that it was not the intention for the FIFA Council and FIFA Member Associations to feel excluded from the process and that the process should have been handled differently. <\/p>\n \u201cIt was further acknowledged that errors were also made after the proposal was leaked to media.\u201d<\/p>\n As if Infantino\u2019s public credibility wasn\u2019t already problematic enough, a new report claims he was involved in the infamous European Super League scandal of 2021.<\/p>\n The breakaway competition planned to feature European football\u2019s biggest clubs, but dissolved amid public outcry just weeks after being announced.<\/p>\n