Saudi Federation Reaffirms Support for Infantino

The Saudi Arabian Football Federation has voiced its support for FIFA President Gianni Infantino, who is facing a strong backlash after his plan to sell stakes in the World Cup and other competitions to private investors failed, praising his acknowledgment of the error and his decision to withdraw the proposal.

In its first official stance on the developments within FIFA’s corridors over the past month, the Saudi federation stated that it “reaffirmed its support and appreciation for the continuous efforts made by FIFA President Mr. Gianni Infantino over nearly a decade to strengthen the unity of the football family, and to continue developing the game, fostering its growth, and expanding its global presence.”

Saudi Arabia, which will host the 2034 World Cup, welcomed the joint statement issued by Infantino and FIFA Secretary General Matthieu Chazalon on the 5th, which “included an acknowledgment of the error and a commitment not to proceed with the FIFA Forward Enterprise proposal, along with a pledge to review procedures related to this proposal.”

Despite Infantino’s retreat from plans to introduce private sector participation in its competitions, pressure on him continues. Attacks on him were renewed in a joint letter issued on the 10th by the Asian Football Confederation (AFC), UEFA, and CONCACAF (Confederation of North, Central America and Caribbean Association Football), which emphasized that football “does not belong to any individual.”

Critics of Infantino, particularly UEFA, have called for his resignation due to the failed project to sell stakes in the World Cup. Infantino, who is seeking a new term as FIFA president, has rejected calls for his resignation and received “full support” from senior FIFA officials during an emergency meeting he convened in Morocco.

Regarding the joint position of the AFC, along with UEFA and CONCACAF, the Saudi federation stated: “As a national federation and a member of the Asian Football Confederation, it appreciates the role of AFC President Sheikh Salman bin Ibrahim Al Khalifa in striving for the benefit of Asian football, and the federation expresses its readiness to support all efforts that contribute to enhancing dialogue, consensus, and the unity of the international football family.”