Back to Football
Breaking ⚽ Football 2 min read

Premier League chief says Infantino pressed 'self-destruct button' with failed World Cup plan

AF

AFP

Published 8 hours ago

Premier League chief executive Richard Masters says under-fire FIFA president Gianni Infantino pressed the "self-destruct button" over his botched plan to bring private investment into the World Cup.

[p]Kevin Lamour, who broke ranks with senior directors at world football's governing body last month and issued a scathing statement criticising Infantino over the plans, left his job as FIFA's chief operating officer on Monday.[/p][p]UEFA has been a vocal critic of Infantino and England's Football Association has also withdrawn its support for the FIFA president.[/p][p][b]"This is a problem of FIFA's making,"[/b] Masters told the [i]BBC[/i].[/p][p][b]"This is a self-inflicted wound. The organisation has pressed the self-destruct button, and the consequences of that flow now into the solutions that need to be found.[/b][/p][p][b]"I don't think FIFA should be ever contemplating selling off a stake in the World Cup.[/b][/p][p][b]"They're a not-for-profit organisation. They should really be holding that competition in trust for the future of football."[/b][/p][p]Masters added: [b]"I think it's a bad idea, and the FA have taken the right position regards to Gianni."[/b][/p][p]As for a possible rival to Infantino, up for re-election next year, Masters said: "I think an emerging unity candidate should have on his or her agenda reform of FIFA, and perhaps even reform of the president's role and how it interacts with those things."[/p]

Related stories

⚽ Football New

Flashscore sources: Manchester United drawing up forward shortlist in case Zirkzee leaves

Dean Jones
⚽ Football New

Alessandro Circati is off to Benfica after clubs reach agreement

Aaron Murphy
⚽ Football New

Axel Witsel joins OGC Nice as Belgian international to play for eighth different club

AFP
⚽ Football New

Lionel Messi 'at peace' after father's death, says Inter Miami coach Guillermo Hoyos

Reuters
⚽ Football New

Viking mount comeback against Dinamo Zagreb to take draw into play-off second leg

Mark Strange
⚽ Football New

Levski Sofia and AEK Athens play out goalless draw in Champions League play-off

Jon Radcliffe