FIFA president Gianni Infantino is still facing a firestorm of criticism and a potential boycott from European soccer’s governing body, UEFA, despite apologizing for the controversial ‘FFE’ proposal to sell off commercial and operational rights to the World Cup.

Boycott Plans

UEFA led the backlash with its 55 member federations agreeing to boycott all FIFA events and competitions while the proposal was active. Although the proposal has been scrapped, many in the game are still calling for Infantino to stand down.

UEFA’s associations were very clear about the conditions attached to the non-participation in FIFA competitions. First, the proposals to sell off the major competitions had to be withdrawn, and secondly, assurances have to be made that such attempts to disfigure the game in this way will never be made again.

Global Reaction

FIFPRO, the global representative organization for professional players, has also urged further reforms in FIFA. The withdrawal of FFE prevented an irreversible decision, but it did not restore the confidence that made such a proposal possible in the first place.

CONMEBOL, the governing body of football in South America, welcomed FIFA’s decision to withdraw its controversial plan but said it would not be backing an extraordinary congress to vote on the FIFA president’s future.

Original reporting: KEYT (Ventura/Santa Barbara) — read the source article.