Infantino is seeking re-election next year in the face of attempts to force him to stand down following the divisive plan. He infuriated soccer leaders in Europe, North America and Asia over the proposal to sell profits in the World Cup through a commercial subsidiary. But in an interview released on Saturday with the BBC at the Under-15 World Cup in Azerbaijan, Infantino brushed off calls for him to step down.
FIFA’s embattled president Gianni Infantino said he has the backing of the “vast, vast majority” of soccer despite his failed plan to sell stakes in the World Cup.
“I think what is important is that in an organization like FIFA there can be different views, different points of view.
“Well, you know, I was elected by 211 member associations from all over the world,” Infantino said. His latest comments came after he apologized to FIFA’s ruling council last week for “mistakes” in his secretive investment plan for the World Cup. Despite his apology, European delegates said they left the meeting disappointed about what they saw as a lack of clarity.
