Argentina Backs Infantino After Failed World Cup Privatization Fiasco
The Asociación del Fútbol Argentino (AFA) has issued a statement in support of FIFA President Gianni Infantino, despite the controversy surrounding the failed World Cup privatization project. This statement comes just days after FIFA was forced to scrap the FIFA Forward Enterprise (FFE) project, which aimed to attract private capital to manage the commercial rights of future World Cups.
Support for Gianni Infantino's Management
The statement, signed by Claudio 'Chiqui' Tapia, the AFA expresses its 'support for the management carried out over the last 10 years,' a period it describes as marked by 'the development of football worldwide and the institutional solidity based on a clear, stable, and transparent governance model.'
Acknowledgment of Rectification
The AFA acknowledges 'the decision of the Administration to withdraw a project that generated, within the family of football and from the start, more uncertainties than certainties.' This gesture reflects how much the initiative eroded the trust of a significant portion of federations and continental confederations. Additionally, the Argentine body values Infantino's gesture following the failure of the plan, highlighting 'the admission of the errors made in this process and the apology' directed to the 211 member associations. For the AFA, this rectification demonstrates that 'prioritizing governance norms is a fundamental pillar for strengthening good relations between FIFA, its member associations, and the confederations.'
Political Alignment
However, the statement leaves no doubt about the political alignment of the AFA. Argentina maintains that Infantino 'is leading a management that has brought about a profound transformation of FIFA' and defends that this process has been built on 'a transparent governance model, respect for the statutory structures, and the follow-up of democratic procedures.' This support adds to that expressed by other Infantino allies and contributes to reinforcing the bloc of federations that defend his leadership ahead of the next FIFA congress.
With this move, the AFA positions itself among the first federations to publicly back the FIFA president after the institution's largest crisis in recent years. The Argentine support adds to that expressed by other Infantino allies and contributes to reinforcing the bloc of federations that defend his leadership ahead of the next FIFA congress.
