Infantino faces FIFA leadership in Rabat as fallout over abandoned plan intensifies

Gianni Infantino will face senior FIFA leadership in Rabat on Wednesday, with the organization still reeling from the collapse of his plan to sell off parts of FIFA's commercial and event operations. Infantino called the management board to Morocco after secretary general Mattias Grafstrom sent a sharply critical internal memo to FIFA staff. Grafstrom described the past week as "a sad and reproachable series of events" that was "difficult to comprehend and accept." On Friday, chief operating officer Kevin Lamour said the private investment plan was "the project of one person" and that FIFA's administration had been "deceived." Arsene Wenger, FIFA's chief of global football development, distanced himself from the proposal, saying he was "not involved" and that scrapping it was "absolutely necessary and beyond question." Prince Ali, president of the Jordanian Football Association, went further, accusing FIFA of creating a situation that "amounts to blackmail" over unpaid prize money and support for Infantino's re-election. Those claims have not been independently verified, and FIFA did not comment when approached. Infantino's position has weakened sharply. UEFA said over the weekend that it had lost confidence in his leadership. Several member associations, including Wales, have withdrawn support for his re-election, with England expected to follow. Carlos Cordeiro, Infantino's senior adviser on global strategy and governance, resigned on Friday, calling the proposal "a bad deal for football" that would "mortgage football's future." Cordeiro listed the questions Infantino is likely to face: Why this deal? Why now? What oversight exists? Who benefits? Was there a competitive process? What governance will be in place? What will investors ultimately gain, and at what cost to football? Member associations had until 19 September to approve the plan or miss out on extra funding tied to the deal. Grafstrom is expected to attend the Rabat meeting, along with finance chief Thomas Peyer, legal chief Emilio Garcia Silvero, chief of staff Daniel O'Toole, chief of member associations Elkhan Mammadov and media relations director Bryan Swanson. Infantino may also face pressure to set out reforms, such as stronger checks and balances, and perhaps to reconsider plans for a 64-team World Cup or open up FIFA's cash reserves. So far he has given no indication that he plans to step down. On Tuesday, Egypt, Morocco, Niger, Mauritania and DR Congo all issued statements in support of him. Still, after one of the most damaging weeks of his presidency, Wednesday's meeting could determine whether he can rebuild trust and keep control.