Full support' for Infantino may spark world football 'open warfare'

FIFA’s decision to back embattled president Gianni Infantino with “full support” is set to intensify power struggles inside global football, according to the Press Association. Infantino met FIFA’s management board in Morocco on Wednesday, after more than a week of calls for him to resign. The pressure stems from his plan to sell stakes in a company that would manage the World Cup and other FIFA tournaments for private investors. The meeting in Rabat ended with executives backing him and emphasizing he is “the only official elected by the 211 FIFA member associations.” UEFA had threatened to boycott competitions unless the plan was dropped, and even after it was withdrawn last Saturday, UEFA said it had “lost confidence.” FIFA acknowledged process “mistakes,” promised a review for the next FIFA Council meeting, and insisted actions complied with FIFA rules.