Source : INDIA TODAY NEWS
FIFA president Gianni Infantino refused to shed light on his plans for the future as he attended the opening match of the Under-20 Women’s World Cup in Poland on Saturday. Infantino was asked about his position amid continued scrutiny following the collapse of his controversial proposal to sell off a share of FIFA’s future World Cup profits.
Infantino was in the stands as hosts Poland faced Argentina on the opening day of the tournament. Asked by Sky News about his future, the FIFA president said there would be a time to address the issue, but insisted the focus should remain on football.
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“There will be a lot to say, but there will be a right place and a right time to say this. It’s not today, it’s not here, but here and today, we are enjoying football,” Infantino told Sky News.
He did not directly respond when asked whether he had considered resigning or whether he still planned to seek a fourth term in next year’s FIFA presidential election. Instead, Infantino pointed towards FIFA’s wider work and its aim of expanding football’s reach globally.
“We are continuing at FIFA, of course, to work to give every corner of the world a chance, an opportunity, a dignity, to find ways and means for them to become better and to participate and to celebrate football, which we all love,” he said.
INFANTINO UNDER PRESSURE
Infantino has faced mounting opposition since details emerged in July of a proposed 20 billion USD FIFA subsidiary that would have controlled commercial rights, including those linked to the World Cup. The plan involved investors led by a New York fund created by Joshua Kushner, with FIFA’s 211 member associations offered $20 million each.
The proposal was withdrawn within four days after opposition from several confederations, including UEFA, the Asian Football Confederation and CONCACAF, as well as criticism from senior FIFA officials. European nations also threatened to boycott the U-20 Women’s World Cup before FIFA provided assurances that the plan would not be revived.
The dispute has not ended, however. FIFA filed a court document on Thursday accusing UEFA of conducting a “smear campaign against FIFA and its leadership”, while legal proceedings linked to the abandoned proposal continue.
With FIFA’s presidential election scheduled for next year, Infantino’s refusal to clarify whether he will seek another term leaves his political future uncertain. For now, he has indicated that he will continue to focus on FIFA’s work rather than address questions about his position.
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SOURCE :- TIMES OF INDIA
