European leagues chief says Gianni Infantino’s position is no longer tenable

FIFA president Gianni Infantino is facing growing scrutiny over his leadership after the collapse of plans to sell a stake in the commercial rights to the World Cup, with the head of Europe’s professional leagues suggesting the fallout leaves his position looking increasingly untenable.

Claudius Schaefer, president of European Leagues and chief executive of the Swiss Football League, said the failed proposal raised serious concerns about FIFA’s governance and decision-making process.

Infantino confirmed on Friday that FIFA had abandoned the controversial plan following widespread opposition from football stakeholders. The proposal sought to sell a stake in a new commercial entity responsible for managing FIFA competitions, including the World Cup, but was met with fierce resistance from regional confederations and league bodies.

‘Only one consequence’

Speaking to Swiss newspaper SonntagsZeitung, Schaefer argued that the manner in which the proposal was handled would normally carry significant consequences for any organisation’s leader.

“When I saw how this whole thing unfolded and that FIFA’s key bodies weren’t involved, then there’s essentially only one consequence in any company or association.”

When asked whether that meant Infantino’s position as FIFA president had become unacceptable, Schaefer stood by his assessment.

“This is usually the consequence when someone in a company pushes such a business deal forward without anyone knowing about it.”

His remarks come a day after UEFA and CONCACAF publicly declared they had lost confidence in Infantino’s leadership following the abandoned proposal.

Concerns over FIFA’s direction

Schaefer also criticised what he described as FIFA’s increasing focus on commercial growth at the expense of the wider football ecosystem.

“It’s solely about the financial advantages; everything else is completely ignored.”

According to Schaefer, the proposal reflected a broader strategy of expanding FIFA competitions to generate greater financial returns for outside investors, a move he believes would further congest an already overloaded international calendar.

He warned that additional tournaments and matches would come at the expense of domestic leagues, which European Leagues has consistently sought to protect.

Schaefer also questioned the transparency of the process, claiming even FIFA’s own governing structures had been left in the dark.

“Nobody knew about the plans, not even the FIFA Council, the governing body of FIFA. I was very surprised that the president was acting completely alone in this matter.”