Fifa’s failed equity plan and football’s growing welfare crisis

The plan by Fifa president, Gianni Infantino, to invite equity investment into the World Cup didn’t last long. Announced on July 28, it immediately provoked hostility from across football. Three days later Fifa sought to reassure critics: “Nobody is selling football. This is not something Fifa would ever entertain.” Th

THE revolt against Fifa president Gianni Infantino’s bid to sell stakes in the World Cup to private equity investors should be a turning point. Not just for Fifa but for football — and arguably not just for football. There are too many common threads in this scandal with the wider perversions of 21st-century capitalism

Gianni Infantino had proposed creating a $20 billion company to run the World Cup with private investors, but drew backlash that grew every day since Tuesday’s announcement. He was forced to scrap the plan early Saturday after his senior adviser who sat on a White House panel resigned and Asia’s soccer body joined Euro