Nothing Has Changed

Gianni Infantino will stand in next March's FIFA presidential election, despite the backlash over his now-abandoned plan to bring private investment into the World Cup, football's global governing body announced Sunday. "The FIFA President announced in April that he will stand for re-election in 2027," a FIFA spokesperson said. "Of course, nothing has changed. Mr Infantino will be standing for re-election."

The 56-year-old Swiss has taken a pummelling since the announcement in late July of his short-lived FIFA Forward Enterprise plan to bring private investment into FIFA events. Infantino is in Poland for the Women's Under-20 World Cup, but refused to answer queries about his future when questioned by journalists.

"Criminal mismanagement"

European body UEFA has accused Infantino of "criminal mismanagement" over the scheme and was the ringleader of the initial fightback, including threatening to boycott all FIFA competitions. UEFA has filed requests in the USA for disclosure of documents related to the plan, and intends to lodge a legal complaint in Switzerland.

CONCACAF president Victor Montagliani is widely seen as the likeliest challenger to Infantino. The three confederations of UEFA, CONCACAF and AFC issued a joint letter: "Leadership in football is not a possession. It is not about holding or demanding power to be held." But Infantino is not without friends -- 2034 World Cup hosts Saudi Arabia came out in support, with African football's CAF and South America's CONMEBOL supportive too.