Sports Desk (EFE).- FIFA’s meeting in Rabat, Morocco, attended in person by President Gianni Infantino, concluded amid rumors that the 2030 World Cup final had been promised to Morocco to secure its support. FIFA sources denied the claims to EFE, amid ongoing accusations of a lack of transparency.
Infantino traveled to Rabat to address the organization’s crisis following backlash over the ‘FIFA Forward Enterprise’ (FFE) project, unveiled on July 30.
The initiative, which sought to sell shares of the World Cup to private investors, was ultimately withdrawn following fierce opposition from continental federations, including UEFA and CONCACAF.
The British newspaper The Times reported Wednesday that the FIFA president used this damage-control meeting to offer Morocco the 2030 World Cup final, which is being co-hosted by Spain and Portugal, in exchange for political support to remain in office.
According to The Times, Infantino is allegedly «holed up» to secure the backing required to stay in his post for another four years after 2027. Morocco, a traditional ally of the Swiss official, is pushing to host the final at the Hassan II Stadium in Casablanca.
After more than seven hours at the FIFA regional office, Infantino left the meeting in Rabat without addressing the press. Sources close to Moroccan football suggested the meeting might resume on Thursday at the same location.
However, following the meeting, FIFA sources told EFE that claims regarding any promise made by President Gianni Infantino about the 2030 World Cup final venue are false and misleading, adding that a decision will be made in due course.
Separately, the European Leagues organization criticized FIFA’s internal decision-making processes on Wednesday, labeling them «opaque» regarding a potential expansion of the 2030 World Cup to 64 teams.
«As with the aborted FFE project, this new proposal involves an impractically short assessment timeline (just four weeks) and zero consultation with the leagues, clubs and players whose planning and livelihoods would be most affected,» the organization stated.
«Let us be clear: FIFA must not be allowed to continue taking unilaterally disruptive decisions (…). Now more than ever, FIFA requires governance reform that ensures that all relevant stakeholders have a formal role in decisions that shape the future of our game,» the statement concluded. EFE
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