CORNERFLICK
Donald Trump has publicly backed Gianni Infantino amid a fresh management crisis at FIFA, warning that removing the world governing body's president would be a major error.
Trump defends FIFA president
In a message posted on Monday night, the US president said FIFA would make a “big mistake” if it pushed Infantino out. He also claimed world football would not remain as successful or profitable without him.
The intervention comes as Infantino faces one of the toughest spells of his presidency. UEFA, the Asian Football Confederation and Concacaf have sent a joint letter sharply criticising his handling of recent issues.
Confederations accuse FIFA of losing trust
The three confederations said trust between them and FIFA's leadership had broken down, citing what they described as deception in the decision-making process. They have made clear they do not want Infantino to remain at the top of world football.
The dispute stems from a controversial plan to sell part of the commercial rights linked to the World Cup to private investors. The proposal was widely opposed and eventually dropped.
But the way the project was handled, and FIFA’s communication with the confederations, has left a wider split between Infantino and some of football’s most powerful bodies.