Fifa boss Gianni Infantino's flirtation with the Trump empire may have a bitter ending – Christine Jardine
Nothing has felt quite so insulting as Gianni Infantino’s sudden desire to sell off football’s family silver
Who could deny that the Tartan Army’s happy-go-lucky invasion of Boston inspired as much international partying and celebration as any action on the pitch at the 2026 World Cup?
That it was then revealed that those fans, and so many other supporters who contributed so much to making the World Cup a success were seen as little more than a cash-cow by the head of Fifa is soul-destroying.
Gianni Infantino seemed for a while convinced that he, and he alone, is entitled to determine the game’s future with his plan to sell off stakes to private investors in dealings to be managed by the Trump family dynasty. That he has been persuaded – and not that politely – to back down by the opposition of game’s other ruling bodies is a certainly a relief. But it may, in all likelihood, also be the end for Infantino’s leadership.
Here I should declare an interest. I am one of those whose lifelong love affair with the beautiful game has endured many ups and downs over the years, as fan and at one-time commentator. I have known both the ecstasy and despair of Scotland’s glorious and disastrous international campaigns – often simultaneously.
READ MORE: Scottish football stands behind Uefa decision to boycott World Cup over Gianni Infantino Fifa plans
Fifa’s ‘Peace Prize’ for Trump
But somehow nothing has felt quite so insulting as Infantino’s sudden desire to sell off football’s family silver. It’s not just that it was Trump – although that didn't help – it was the way it was done and what the implications could have been.
It is certainly clear now that the secret plotting had been going on for some time to the complete oblivion of those who currently carry not just the criticism and the acclaim but responsibility for the world’s biggest sport. That the apparently pointless and ridiculous awarding of the hitherto unknow ‘Fifa Peace Prize’ to Trump was a shameless attempt to butter up the goose that it was planned would lay a golden egg.
And that allowing the US President to hold sway over the disciplining of a player’s on field behaviour was a warning sign of how a future in his family portfolio would have looked.
Fifa’s attempt to go ahead with its plans despite all 55 Uefa members threatening to boycott its tournaments seemed nothing short of madness. The delay in recognising the reality that Infantino’s idea was a non-starter may be what finally does for the Swiss chief’s Fifa tenure.
A massively wealthy game
Why he ever thought football’s rulers would contemplate the move is perhaps the biggest mystery. Infantino himself has revealed that Fifa generated $15 billion in revenue between 2022 and 2026.
Football is already a massively wealthy game with its governing bodies sitting on allegedly massive reserves. Concacaf, the Americas nations, have made it clear that they felt deceived. Uefa and European football representatives in general have been scathing.
Trust in Infantino has been destroyed. It is difficult to see how he can continue. He flirted with the Trump empire and threatened to undermine the beautiful game.
It looks like the affair may have a bitter end for Gianni Infantino.
Christine Jardine is the Scottish Liberal Democrat MP for Edinburgh West
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