Gianni Infantino 'Pressured' FIFA's Top Officials Into Signing Secret $4.2 Billion Plan By Midnight
News sports football Gianni Infantino 'Pressured' FIFA's Top Officials Into Signing Secret $4.2 Billion Plan By Midnight Gianni Infantino 'Pressured' FIFA's Top Officials Into Signing
News sports football Gianni Infantino 'Pressured' FIFA's Top Officials Into Signing Secret $4.2 Billion Plan By Midnight Gianni Infantino 'Pressured' FIFA's Top Officials Into Signing Secret $4.2 Billion Plan By Midnight Published By, Last Updated: August 07, 2026, 15:42 IST FIFA officials felt 'pressured' and got a very short deadline to approve President Gianni Infantino's secret plan to sell a 20% stake in FIFA to American investors. Gianni Infantino. (AFP Photo) FIFA President Gianni Infantino’s ‘secret’ plan to sell a 20% stake in the organisation was pushed through after senior officials were given just hours to approve the controversial proposal, with some members reportedly fearing the consequences of opposing their powerful boss. In line to buy those stakes was a group of investors led by Joshua Kushner, the brother of US President Trump’s son-in-law, Jared Kushner, to raise approximately $4.2 billion (approx Rs. 40,000 crore), valuing the total entity at $20 billion (approx Rs.
1,90,500 crore). If successful, it would have privatised a part of FIFA, which has been a non-profit for almost a century, and given more control of football to US businessmen. According to a report by The New York Times, a five-member FIFA bureau of the management board was summoned to a hastily arranged meeting at New York’s Waldorf Astoria shortly before the 2026 World Cup final. These were secretary general Mattias Grafstrom, legal head Emilio Garcia, chief of staff Dan O’Toole, chief operating officer Kevin Lamour and finance chief Thomas Peyer. Most of the officials had reportedly never heard of the proposal, which had been developed in secret. The officials were told they had until midnight to approve the plan. They were left with the impression that Infantino, who was not present at the meeting, would be furious if they delayed or rejected it. Some members subsequently discussed privately the potential repercussions of saying no to Infantino, whose influence within FIFA gives him considerable power over the careers of senior officials.
Ultimately, Grafstrom, Garcia and O’Toole accepted the proposal while Lamour and Peyer rejected it. The 3-2 majority allowed Infantino to move forward with the plan. The deal would have covered areas including broadcasting, sponsorship, licensing and ticketing. The episode highlighted how narrowly the proposal had been handled within FIFA. Of the five bureau members, only O’Toole, who had been handpicked by Infantino to work with bankers on the project, was reportedly involved in its development. The plan was exposed by reports in The Times and Financial Times on July 28, triggering widespread opposition from football officials around the world. The European Football body, UEFA, subsequently threatened to boycott FIFA competitions, including the World Cup, unless Infantino resigned. Infantino abandoned the proposal on July 31, but the fallout has continued. FIFA later apologised to its members, while UEFA reiterated its demand for Infantino to step down. The controversy has now raised not only questions over the proposed deal but also concerns about the way Infantino exercises power within FIFA and the pressure senior officials may face when challenging decisions taken by the president.
The BriefWire