FIFA general secretary Mattias Grafstrom has taken the extraordinary step of condemning plans by his boss Gianni Infantino to sell stakes in the World Cup.
In a potentially telling and private memo to FIFA staff, Grafstrom reassured colleagues that they would be shielded from the instability surrounding the governing body’s president, Infantino, who was humiliated after abandoning his £3.1billion investment project.
UEFA and Concacaf – the body responsible for North and Central America and the Caribbean – have both called for change at the top of FIFA, with UEFA expressing a lack of confidence in the FIFA president.
England and Wales have both withdrawn their support for Infantino, who is due to stand for re-election in March, while Daily Mail Sport understands that Scotland have adopted the same stance.
In a company-wide memo, Grafstrom – who has been mooted as a potential successor to Infantino – labelled the plans ‘reproachable’ as he aimed a thinly veiled dig at the FIFA president
FIFA general secretary Mattias Grafstrom (right) has taken the extraordinary step of condemning plans by his boss Gianni Infantino to sell stakes in the World Cup
In a company-wide memo, Grafstrom (far left) – who has been mooted as a potential successor to Infantino – labelled the plans ‘reproachable’ as he aimed a thinly veiled dig at the president
‘A sad and reproachable series of events – which were thankfully concluded with the FFE project permanently abandoned – for as much as we feel dismayed by them, should not overshadow this reality.
‘We have all been thrown into the middle of a turmoil, which is difficult to comprehend and accept, but, as Secretary General, I urge you to remain focused on what has always united us: serving football and serving our 211 Member Associations, hand in hand with all relevant stakeholders and in full compliance with the FIFA Statutes and FIFA Regulations.
‘I assure you that you as members of the administration, you will be defended and safeguarded from the political context we currently experience. You do not need to worry.
‘Individuals, unstable moments and unfortunate episodes come and go. The institution, its mission and its responsibility towards world football continue, and that is why we should always keep our professionalism, sense of perspective and composure.
‘I also want you to know that my door remains open for you, and I will continue to support our teams, our work and our mission every hour of every day for as long as my work is valued by those we serve.’
