FIFA has denied a report that President Gianni Infantino was seeking help from the Trump administration to preserve his leadership, saying no call was scheduled with Secretary of State Marco Rubio or any other member of President Donald Trump’s Cabinet.
The denial came after a New York Post report said Infantino was expected to speak privately with Rubio amid mounting pressure over his failed attempt to sell a stake in FIFA’s commercial business to private investors. A FIFA source said the report was erroneous and that no such conversation was planned for Monday or at any other time. The organization did not provide an on-the-record response to the Post’s separate claim that Infantino had repeatedly tried to reach Trump since the proposal collapsed on Friday.
The report described the proposed call as an opportunity to discuss soccer as a form of American «soft power». The Post, however, quoted a source who said the real motive was job protection. «He wanted to get online with the secretary and talk about how soccer can be a form of soft power for America,» the source said. «But we all know that it is about job protection. It is not about anything else at this point.»
The turmoil centers on a proposed company called FIFA Forward Enterprise, which would have taken control of FIFA’s broadcasting, sponsorship, licensing, and ticketing operations. Thrive Capital, the private equity firm founded by Josh Kushner, the younger brother of Trump son-in-law Jared Kushner, would have purchased a 20 percent stake for just over $4 billion. The arrangement would have allowed private investors to buy into the business responsible for generating much of FIFA’s revenue.
Several top FIFA officials and national federations said they were caught by surprise, with many saying they first learned about the plan through media reports. FIFA Chief Operating Officer Kevin Lamour said he felt «deceived» and described the proposal as the work of one man.
The backlash was immediate. UEFA’s 55 European member associations agreed to boycott FIFA competitions while the proposal remained active. The Asian Football Confederation and Concacaf also opposed the plan. UEFA threatened legal action and instructed FIFA officials to preserve documents and electronic communications connected to it.
Infantino abandoned the proposal on Friday, but the revolt against his leadership has continued. Wales became the first national federation to officially withdraw its support for Infantino’s re-election, citing failures involving governance, leadership, communication, and judgment. England has also reportedly withdrawn its backing, while UEFA said Infantino has lost the confidence of world soccer and that «no option should be off the table».
Only weeks ago, Infantino appeared nearly certain to win another term after reportedly securing pledges from roughly 200 of FIFA’s 211 member federations. He still has significant support in Africa and parts of Asia. Infantino and Trump have developed a friendship, particularly during this summer’s World Cup in the United States.
Despite the growing opposition, FIFA says no rescue call with Rubio or another Trump Cabinet official is on the calendar.
