FIFA President Gianni Infantino is reportedly seeking the support of US President Donald Trump as he battles mounting pressure over his future at the helm of world football’s governing body.
Infantino sparked an open revolt when The Times first revealed his bombshell plans to sell a $4.2 billion (£3.1bn) stake in FIFA’s flagship tournament to a private equity firm led by Joshua Kushner.
The proposals have since been scrapped after opposition from UEFA, the North, Central America and Caribbean confederation (CONCACAF) and the Asian Football Confederation (AFC).
According to The New York Post, Infantino is now turning to his biggest ally – Donald Trump – to help him survive.
The paper reported that Infantino will hold a call with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio at 9am EST (2pm BST), as pressure rises on the FIFA president to resign from his role.
An insider told the Post: ‘He wanted to get online with the secretary and talk about how soccer can be a form of soft power for America. But we all know that it is about job protection. It is not about anything else at this point.’
A second source described Infantino as feeling ‘isolated’ by the ‘avalanche’ of negativity surrounding his now-doomed plans. ‘He is looking for allies of note to publicly support him,’ they said.
Infantino’s alleged last-ditch attempt to save his presidency comes just days after Trump brutally denied all knowledge of Infantino’s bold sell-off plan.
When asked ‘did Mr Infantino speak to you about his proposal to sell a stake in the World Cup?’ Trump brutally first replied: ‘Who?’
After the question was repeated, the president then added: ‘No, I didn’t speak to him.’