Gianni Infantino is experiencing increased pressure within Fifa as secretary general Mattias Grafstrom criticized the abandoned World Cup sell-off plans in an internal email, calling the situation a “sad and reproachable series of events.” Grafstrom’s comments, reported by Sky News, highlighted the turmoil surrounding Fifa, stating that while it is “difficult to comprehend and accept,” such instability is temporary as “individuals, unstable moments and unfortunate episodes come and go.”

Adding to the controversy, Arsene Wenger, Fifa’s chief of global football development, deemed Infantino’s decision to abandon the sell-off plan as “absolutely necessary and beyond question.” Wenger claimed ignorance of the sell-off discussions prior to the media reports, emphasizing that Fifa must operate with “commitment, transparency, and integrity.”

Infantino’s position is precarious following Uefa’s declaration of no confidence on Saturday, which has prompted various member associations to withdraw their support. Notably, the Football Association (FA) is expected to publicly align with the Football Association of Wales in this regard. Uefa's opposition has garnered backing from two other confederations, Asia and Concacaf.

Uefa confirmed its lost confidence in Infantino’s leadership, criticizing what it termed a “shabby, backroom deal.” Furthermore, Uefa has informed the Fifa president that it is “actively considering” legal action concerning the sell-off scheme. The letter mandates Infantino and Fifa to “take immediate steps to identify, locate, and preserve all documents and electronically stored information” related to the controversial plans.