Richard Masters, the chief executive of the Premier League, has accused FIFA president Gianni Infantino of creating the crisis currently engulfing the international governing body, following a proposal to privatize the commercial rights of World Cup tournaments and sell stakes to investors.
Masters told the BBC, “FIFA is the cause of this problem,” suggesting that the fallout from the proposal is a direct result of decisions made by FIFA officials themselves.
He added:
It is a self-inflicted wound. FIFA officials have pressed the self-destruct button, and we are now seeing the consequences as they scramble to find a solution.
Privatising the World Cup
The Premier League chief executive criticized the concept of selling or privatising the commercial rights to the World Cup, emphasizing that the tournament is a public asset for global football and should not be treated as a mere investment opportunity.
Masters said:
FIFA shouldn’t be thinking about privatising World Cup rights because it is a non-profit organisation. Instead, it should have managed this tournament with integrity for the future of football.
He described the proposal as a “terrible idea” while praising the English FA’s decision to withdraw its support for Infantino, stating that he believes the association “took the right stance.”
Infantino under pressure
Masters’ comments come as Infantino faces mounting pressure over his plan to restructure and market FIFA’s commercial rights, amid objections from European football bodies and national associations regarding the proposal’s nature and its potential impact on global football governance.
UEFA has been among the most vocal critics of Infantino’s policies. The English FA’s decision to withdraw its support for the FIFA president further signals a widening circle of opposition within the football system.
The 2027 battle looms
Masters did not rule out strong competition for Infantino’s position in the 2027 FIFA presidential elections, urging any potential candidate to prioritize reform of the international body.
When asked about a candidate capable of challenging Infantino, he replied:
Any candidate must prioritise reforming FIFA, which may include defining the president’s powers and how they handle various matters.
Masters’ remarks reflect the growing controversy over the future of FIFA’s governance, with demands to rethink how decisions are made within the international body and to limit the president’s authority. All eyes are now on the coming phase to see if the current crisis will impact Infantino’s future in the upcoming elections
Featured image via the Canary
By Alaa Shamali
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