FIFA president Gianni Infantino is resisting calls to step down following a contentious World Cup broadcast rights deal, according to Al Jazeera. The outlet reports that Infantino has issued an apology in an attempt to steady his position, but European football’s governing body, UEFA, says its threat to boycott FIFA tournaments remains on the table.
The dispute centers on the sale of World Cup media rights, a move that has drawn sharp criticism from within the sport. Al Jazeera notes that Infantino and FIFA are trying to move past the fallout, yet UEFA’s response indicates the matter is far from resolved. The BBC similarly reports that UEFA’s backing for Infantino changes nothing, and a boycott could still proceed.
Infantino’s apology, detailed by The Times, appears to be a last-ditch effort to preserve his leadership. However, the pressure is mounting from high-profile figures in football. Former Portugal international Luis Figo, quoted by the Daily Mail, described Infantino’s conduct as the lowest and most deceitful he has ever witnessed, calling for the president to go immediately.
Sky Sports adds that UEFA’s boycott stance remains intact even as Infantino stays in his role. The combination of a public apology and continued defiance suggests a leader trying to navigate a widening crisis, but the institutional support he once relied on may be fraying.
What to watch next: Whether UEFA follows through on its boycott threat, which would reshape the international football calendar and test FIFA’s authority.
