UK PM calls on FIFA president Infantino to resign

UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham has called on FIFA President Gianni Infantino to resign, describing the governing body's proposal to sell a stake in the FIFA World Cup as "outrageous."

Speaking during a visit to a community centre in Sheffield on July 31, Burnham criticised the plan and questioned Infantino's leadership, The Guardian reports. 

"My view is strengthening – this was an outrageous suggestion. The idea that it could even be brought forward, in my view, shows that the FIFA president is the wrong man to lead the organisation," Burnham said.

When informed that FIFA intended to proceed with the proposal despite strong opposition from UEFA and other member bodies, Burnham responded: "Oh wow. Have they actually done that? Oh wow."

Burnham became the first leader of a major country to publicly call for Infantino's resignation over the proposal.

The controversy centres on FIFA's plan to create an investment vehicle that would hold commercial rights related to the FIFA World Cup and sell a stake in it to investors for $4.2 billion.

The proposal has triggered growing opposition from football governing bodies and prompted calls for an urgent review of FIFA's governance. FIFA has also been warned of a potential boycott by all 55 UEFA member associations if it proceeds with the planned World Cup stake sale.

Pressure on the governing body intensified after Carlos Cordeiro, one of Infantino's senior advisers, resigned on July 31, describing the proposal as "a bad deal for football."

Despite the backlash, FIFA has indicated that it intends to move forward with the planned sale.

By Sabina Mammadli