Free Republic

President Donald Trump leapt to the defense of FIFA chief Gianni Infantino on Monday, as the head of world soccer’s governing body faces pressure to resign following a failed attempt to sell stakes in the World Cup to private investors. Trump wrote in a Truth Social post late on Monday that FIFA would be “making a terrible mistake” if member associations move to replace Infantino. Should he depart, Trump said that the tournament “will never be as successful or profitable again!” Infantino was the driving force behind FIFA’s most recent commercialization push, which culminated in the largest, most profitable World...

The governing body of European football, UEFA, has threatened legal action against FIFA President Gianni Infantino, venture capitalist Joshua Kushner — brother of U.S. President Donald Trump’s son-in-law Jared Kushner — and other individuals involved in the controversial plan to privatize a share of the World Cup’s commercial operations. UEFA is “actively considering legal action, arbitration, and/or regulatory complaints” against Infantino, reads a letter sent to Infantino, seen by the Telegraph. The move follows Infantino’s proposal to transfer FIFA’s commercial rights and tournament operations to a private entity firm — in partnership with Thrive Capital, Kushner’s venture capital company —...

FIFA President Gianni Infantino has launched a stinging attack on the West on the eve of the World Cup for criticizing Qatar for its poor human rights record. In an hour-long speech, the Swiss-Italian 52-year-old said European critics were misrepresenting the host nation and that everyone is welcome. “Today I feel Qatari. Today I feel Arab. Today I feel African. Today I feel gay. Today I feel disabled. Today I feel a migrant worker,” he said. “Of course I am not Qatari, Arab, gay or disabled. But I was the son of a migrant worker, saw their conditions. Not in...