Infantino seeks Trump, Rubio's help to safeguard FIFA presidency: NY Post
Note: AI technology was used to generate this article’s audio.
- Infantino seeks Trump administration support to keep FIFA role.
- Failed to reach US President Donald Trump directly.
- $4B commercial rights plan collapsed.
- UEFA backlash sparked major internal revolt.
Embattled FIFA President Gianni Infantino scheduled private talks with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Monday morning as pressure mounts on the 56-year-old executive to resign from the global soccer governing body, according to a report by the New York Post.
Sources familiar with the matter confirmed to the publication that Infantino sought a call with America's top diplomat shortly after 9 a.m. ET. While one insider briefed on the matter stated that Infantino publicly framed the discussion around using soccer as a form of American soft power, they added that "it is about job protection" and "not about anything else at this point."
Failed $4 billion World Cup commercial sell-off triggers global revolt
The crisis follows the collapse of Infantino's proposal to spin off FIFA's commercial assets -including broadcasting, sponsorship, licensing, and ticketing rights- into a new subsidiary called FIFA Forward Enterprise.
Under the aborted plan, Thrive Capital -a private equity firm led by Josh Kushner, the younger brother of President Trump's son-in-law Jared Kushner- would have acquired a 20% stake in the venture for just over $4 billion.
News of the secret negotiations sparked immediate outrage from soccer federations across the globe, who reported learning about the deal through media outlets.
On July 30, UEFA, European soccer's governing body, voted unanimously to boycott all FIFA-organized competitions, creating the unprecedented prospect of 2030 co-hosts Spain and Portugal skipping their own tournament.
Calls for Infantino's removal
According to the New York Post, Infantino feels "isolated" following an avalanche of negative media coverage and has actively sought prominent allies to publicly back him.
Sources revealed that Infantino repeatedly attempted to call President Donald Trump, 80, by phone since the plan collapsed on Friday, but was unable to reach him.
Inside FIFA's Zurich headquarters, the fallout has led to an internal movement among officials to oust Infantino, dubbed "Project Kill The Monster."
Kevin Lamour, FIFA’s Chief Operating Officer, expressed public frustration over the situation, telling the Associated Press on Friday that he felt "deceived" by Infantino's actions and had been kept in the dark regarding the private negotiations.
Neither FIFA nor the US State Department immediately provided official comments when contacted by the New York Post.
