UK Prime Minister Says FIFA President Unsuitable to Lead Organization

British Prime Minister Andy Burnham said on Sunday that FIFA President Gianni Infantino is not the right person to lead world football, referring to the abandoned proposal to sell stakes in the World Cup to private investors.

"I do not believe that he is the right man to lead football forward on the world stage," Burnham said. "The plan that was put forward was offensive to many people, football people, around the world, and it can’t be the case that we just move on and forget that, it wasn’t acceptable." The remarks follow UEFA’s statement on Saturday that it has lost confidence in FIFA’s leadership, a move that could open the door to a challenge to Infantino’s presidency. CONCACAF also said FIFA leadership had "stopped putting football first." Infantino withdrew his plan to commercialise World Cup profits through a subsidiary after UEFA’s 55-member nations voted to boycott the tournament and other FIFA events. The Asian Football Confederation and CONCACAF also opposed the proposal. UEFA said it will collaborate with other confederations to develop safeguards to prevent a similar initiative, adding that "no option should be off the table." While some associations, including Qatar, have expressed support for Infantino, Burnham’s comments reflect broader discontent with the plan. The next FIFA presidential election is scheduled for March in Rabat, Morocco, with candidate nominations due by Nov. 18.