Aug. 23 (UPI) — FIFA President Gianni Infantino said Sunday it was the organization’s responsibility to close the gap between its rich and less affluent members.
Infanto’s remarks came as he has been under fire since his plan to sell a minority stake in a new FIFI entity to investors collapsed. FIFA Forward Enterprise would have offered a 20% stake to private investors in the $20 billion venture.
“This is our task – this is our job. We want to grow football in every one of our 211 countries in the world,” Infantino said in a press release from FIFA after he met with Caribbean Football Union members in the Dominican Republic. “Some, unfortunately, don’t need and they don’t want that others grow, but we need to narrow this gap between the big, big countries and all the others.”
Infantino, who is facing a possible vote of no confidence led by FIFA’s most powerful members, was attending CONCACAF’s under-14 Challenge Series in the country.
He attended the tournament despite being asked by CONCACAF President Montagliani not to. Montagliani said Infantino’s appearance would overshadow the tournament because of rising opposition to him remaining in the job.
Infantino is up for reelection next year.
About the Author
