UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham has called on FIFA President Gianni Infantino to step down following the controversy surrounding a proposal to sell part of the FIFA World Cup to private investors.
Burnham’s demand comes amid growing opposition to the plan from major football bodies, including UEFA, Concacaf and the Asian Football Confederation (AFC), all of which have expressed concerns over the proposal.
UEFA’s 55 member associations have also backed a possible boycott of FIFA competitions if the plan remains under consideration.
A boycott could prevent some of the world’s biggest football nations, including England, Germany, France and reigning world champions Spain, from participating in FIFA men’s and women’s World Cup competitions while the proposal is active.
Speaking on Friday, Burnham described the proposal as “an outrageous suggestion” and questioned whether Infantino was the right person to continue leading global football.
“My view is strengthening, this was an outrageous suggestion. The idea that it could even be brought forward, in my view, shows that the FIFA president is the wrong man to lead the organisation,” he said.
Burnham, who became UK prime minister slightly more than two weeks ago, is the first leader of a major country to publicly demand Infantino’s resignation over the issue.
The Labour leader and lifelong Everton supporter had earlier criticised the proposal on social media, arguing that football belongs to fans rather than investors.
His comments followed the resignation of former US Soccer Federation president and senior FIFA adviser Carlos Cordeiro, who stepped down in protest against the plan.
Cordeiro said he had no involvement in the proposal and could not support any move to sell a stake in the World Cup, describing it as harmful to FIFA’s member associations and the future of the sport.
The backlash has placed further pressure on Infantino as FIFA faces increasing resistance from stakeholders over the proposed private investment arrangement.
