A proposal that never took off
European football’s governing bodies are still reeling from a scheme that collapsed before it could be put into practice. Gianni Infantino’s attempt to sell a stake in the World Cup’s commercial rights sparked a wave of protests that forced the plan to be abandoned.
Claudius Schaefer, the head of the European Leagues, described the proposal as unacceptable, comparing it to a corporate governance failure. He argued that the plan was driven solely by financial motives and ignored the broader implications for national championships.
The European Leagues warned that adding more international fixtures to an already packed calendar would jeopardize domestic competitions, a concern that resonated across the sport.
Schaefer revealed that even the FIFA Council was left unaware of the proposal until it was publicly announced, highlighting the unilateral nature of Infantino’s decision‑making.
The backlash extended to continental bodies, with UEFA and CONCACAF both stating that they had lost confidence in Infantino’s leadership, raising doubts about the future of global football governance.