FIFA faces fresh transparency calls after retreat on World Cup sell-off plan

Aug 1 : FIFA faced renewed calls for transparency on Saturday after it abruptly shelved plans to sell a stake in the commercial rights to the World Cup, a proposal that triggered fierce backlash from regional confederations that said they had been blindsided.The swift reversal has exposed growing unease within world soccer over FIFA President Gianni Infantino's leadership style, with football officials demanding greater oversight of decisions that could reshape the governance and commercial future of the sport. The backlash has also raised questions about Infantino's political capital as he prepares to seek another term in office.FIFA's plan was to raise up to $4.2 billion by selling about a 20 per cent stake to private investors in a new unit that would run FIFA events, including the Worl