FIFA Leadership Rallies Behind Infantino After Emergency Meeting in Rabat

FIFA's senior leadership has closed ranks around embattled President Gianni Infantino following an emergency meeting held in the Moroccan capital Rabat. In a statement, FIFA's Secretary General and the members of the Management Board expressed their unconditional support for Infantino, describing him as 'the only officeholder elected by FIFA's 211 member associations.'

FIFA Admits Errors in Investor Plans

The organization also publicly acknowledged mistakes in the way it handled its controversial proposal to sell World Cup broadcasting rights to outside investors. Leadership said there was consensus that 'it was not the intention to give the FIFA Council and FIFA's member associations the feeling of being excluded from the process, and that the process should have been handled differently.' FIFA Secretary General Mattias Grafström — who had previously circulated an internal email describing a 'sad and reprehensible series of events' — sat alongside Infantino in the stands during an Africa Cup of Nations women's match in Morocco, publicly signaling reconciliation.

Backlash Continues Despite Show of Unity

The show of unity comes amid fierce opposition, particularly from European football bodies, over Infantino's leadership. A report from The Times alleging extortion attempts by FIFA against those who criticized the investor plan further fueled the controversy. FIFA responded that it 'will not tolerate any attacks on its integrity and will take all necessary measures to defend its reputation.' Analysts suggest the current crisis could threaten Infantino's decade-long presidency.