Social Democrats TD Daniel Ennis has said that football is “not for sale” as pressure mounts on FIFA president Gianni Infantino.
The Dublin Central TD said that “the writing is on the wall” for the controversial Swissman, who faces the biggest challenge of his FIFA presidency to date.
This week, plans by Infantino to sell off a stake in the World Cup to private investors has seen his position come under threat.
The optics of the plan, which would see stakes in the World Cup sold off to private investors (including one controlled by Donald Trump’s son-in-law) has seen UEFA, the Asian football federation and the North American football federation state they have no confidence in Infantino or his plan.
Ennis, a former footballer prior to politics, said “I welcome that this harebrained proposal is being rejected by major football confederations around the world, including in Europe, Asia, North and Central America and the Caribbean.”
“I fully back the stance taken by the Football Association of Ireland (FAI), who have supported UEFA’s position by confirming that no Irish teams will play in FIFA competitions until this issue is resolved,” he said.
“The writing is now on the wall for Gianni Infantino, whose support for this deal has made his position as FIFA president untenable. This outrageous proposal to sell a stake in the World Cup to private investors – including a firm controlled by Donald Trump’s son-in-law – is yet another example of Infantino’s sycophantic relationship with the US President.
Ennis stated, “football is bigger than any one individual. Despite the cringeworthy behaviour of Trump and Infantino during the recent World Cup, it was a largely successful tournament enjoyed by billions of people around the globe.”
“The sport we love must not be tarnished by grubby little deals made by those in positions of power and influence,” the Soc Dems sporting spokesperson said.