British Prime Minister Andy Burnham has called for FIFA president Gianni Infantino to step down over plans to sell a stake in the World Cup.
Key facts
- •Andy Burnham is the first leader of a major nation to publicly call for Gianni Infantino's resignation.
- •UEFA has voted unanimously to boycott the World Cup if the commercialization plans move forward.
- •Senior FIFA adviser Carlos Cordeiro resigned on Friday, citing the proposal as a bad deal.
- •Burnham expressed surprise upon learning that FIFA intends to continue with the plan despite widespread opposition.
British Prime Minister Andy Burnham stated on Friday that FIFA president Gianni Infantino should resign from his position. Burnham’s call follows Infantino’s proposal to create a commercial entity and sell a stake in the World Cup to outside investors.
Opposition to commercialization
Burnham, who identified himself as a lifelong Everton fan, described the proposal to sell a stake in the tournament as an "outrageous suggestion." He stated that the mere consideration of such a plan indicates that Infantino is the "wrong man to lead the organization." In a social media post earlier in the week, Burnham argued that football belongs to the fans rather than investors. He emphasized that the World Cup is not a product to be sold, asserting that selling any portion of the competition constitutes a "sell out."
Mounting pressure on FIFA
The proposal has faced significant backlash, including a unanimous vote by UEFA to boycott the World Cup if the plans proceed. Additionally, FIFA president Gianni Infantino lost his senior adviser, Carlos Cordeiro, on Friday. Cordeiro resigned from his role, characterizing the commercial proposal as a "bad deal for football."
Timeline
- Earlier this weekAndy Burnham posted on social media that football belongs to the fans and should not be sold to investors.
- FridayAndy Burnham called for Gianni Infantino to resign and expressed surprise that FIFA is proceeding with its commercial plans.
- FridaySenior FIFA adviser Carlos Cordeiro resigned from his position.
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This article was independently rewritten by ManyPress editorial AI from reporting originally published by Politico Europe.
