FIFA主席詹尼·因凡蒂诺宣布放弃向私募股权基金出售世界杯利润的计划[1][2]。因凡蒂诺在声明中表示，经过听取各方意见后，该项目已造成分裂，"无论支持程度如何，都已不再符合最初设定的目标"[1][3]。
这一决定源于该提议在足球界引发的广泛反对[2]。欧足联等足坛各方对该计划提出强烈反对，欧足联甚至威胁抵制包括世界杯在内的所有FIFA赛事[3]。此外，FIFA内部也出现反对声音，该机构高级顾问卡洛斯·科尔代罗周五辞职以示抗议，首席运营官凯文·拉穆尔指称该计划是"一个人的项目"并称其"欺骗了FIFA工作人员"[3]。
FIFA President Gianni Infantino has abandoned plans to sell World Cup profits to private equity investors, citing irreparable divisions within the sport.[1][2] In a statement, Infantino declared: "Having listened carefully to all the views, it has become clear that the project has created divisions of a nature that, regardless of the level of support, are no longer in the interest of the objective set out in the first place."[1] The proposal, which would have generated compensation of 40 million US dollars (35 million euros), faced intense backlash from football governing bodies across the globe.[3]
UEFA issued an unequivocal stance against the proposal, declaring "The World Cup is not for sale."[3] The scheme encountered opposition from continental confederations and sparked internal discord at FIFA itself, prompting senior adviser Carlos Cordeiro to resign on Friday in protest.[3] Chief Operating Officer Kevin Lamour characterized the initiative as "one man's project" that had "deceived FIFA staff members."[3] The reversal marks a significant retreat for Infantino on a matter he had championed despite the contentious reception it received across the football world.