Succession: Backstage Battles Activated

G ianni Infantino found himself further isolated following the aborted plan to sell shares of FIFA tournaments to private inves- tors. Several confederations and sta- keholders, amongst which UEFA, cri- ticised not only the plan but Infan- tino’s broader leadership. UEFA committed to consulting with its as- sociations and other confederations to better leadership within the inter- national body. This no doubt translates the fact that Infantino’s position is under threat and some stakeholders have begun eyeing possible successors to the FIFA boss. The main challenge will be finding a unifying candidate who can attract support from a ma- jority, if not all, of the confederations and other stakeholders, including those currently rallying behind In- fantino. UEFA, which is leading the push against him, finds itself in a dif- ficult position. Even if it helps un- seat the FIFA president, proposing a candidate from its own region could appear self-serving on the global stage. Paris Saint-Germain president Nas- ser Al-Khelaifi, who also chairs the European Football Clubs body, is re- portedly favoured by many in Eu- rope but s...