UEFA Vice President Laura McAllister has called for the next FIFA president to serve as a dedicated steward of global football, as pressure mounts on current leader Gianni Infantino following the collapse of his World Cup investment initiative. McAllister’s remarks come after FIFA’s leadership met in Rabat to reaffirm backing for Infantino while acknowledging missteps in the controversial investment proposal that triggered widespread backlash from national football associations.
McAllister emphasized that identifying a suitable successor to Infantino presents substantial challenges, as any viable candidate would require backing from football’s diverse global membership rather than support concentrated in Europe alone. She underscored the significance of political considerations and the necessity for widespread consensus across the sport’s international community when considering leadership transitions.
The UEFA official stressed the urgent need for comprehensive governance overhauls to modernize football’s administrative framework. McAllister advocated for dismantling systems controlled by individual power brokers, instead championing democratic structures that prioritize the sport’s fundamental principles over commercial or political agendas. She highlighted the importance of ensuring football remains accessible and inclusive across all levels and regions worldwide.
McAllister’s comments reflect ongoing scrutiny of FIFA’s direction following Infantino’s decision to abandon his proposal to establish a commercial entity that would have sold stakes in future World Cup revenues to external investors. The March presidential election will likely intensify debate regarding the organization’s governance practices and leadership vision moving forward.
Originally reported by Aljazeera →
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