Gianni Infantino’s presidency at Fifa has been described as "badly shaken" by Uefa vice president Laura McAllister, following his decision to abandon a contentious plan to sell shares in the World Cup. This reversal comes after significant backlash from three continental confederations, leading to warnings from Uefa that its member nations would boycott Fifa events if the proposal proceeded.

The investment scheme aimed to create a new company responsible for the commercial and operational aspects of major tournaments, including the men’s and women’s World Cups. On Saturday, Infantino confirmed that "this proposal will not proceed," admitting that it had "created divisions" within the organization.

Prime Minister Andy Burnham had previously criticized the plans as "outrageous," stating they indicated Infantino was "the wrong man to lead the organization." The controversial proposal also faced internal dissent within Fifa, resulting in the resignations of senior adviser Carlos Cordeiro and chief operating officer Kevin Lamour, who labeled it as "a project of one person."

While it remains uncertain whether Infantino's U-turn will ease the pressure on his leadership, McAllister noted that Uefa would be "considering options." She emphasized that trust in Infantino has been significantly undermined, raising questions about his capability to lead Fifa effectively.

She remarked on the importance of adhering to ethical principles in football, stating that the recent events do not damage the sport itself, but rather Fifa as an organization. Infantino, in his statement, expressed his intent to unite all parties involved in football, aiming to foster growth, especially in countries needing support.