00:00FIFA president Gianni Infantino is holding a crisis meeting with senior officials in Morocco
00:05as criticism continues over his abandoned plan to sell a stake in the commercial rights of the World Cup.
00:11The proposal aimed to raise $4.2 billion by selling 20% of a new commercial entity,
00:18but it was withdrawn after facing strong opposition from football authorities.
00:23UEFA accused FIFA of trying to sell the soul of football
00:27and said it no longer has confidence in Infantino's leadership,
00:31casting doubt over his bid for a fourth term as FIFA president.
00:35Reports said several European football associations have withdrawn their support,
00:40while senior FIFA officials have also distanced themselves from the proposal.
00:45FIFA Secretary General Matthias Grafstrom reportedly described the project as a regrettable episode,
00:52while Chief Operating Officer Kevin Lamour called it the project of one person.
00:57Former Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger, now FIFA's chief of global football development,
01:03said he was not involved in drafting the proposal and supported the decision to withdraw it.
01:08According to reports, UEFA, CONCACAF and the Asian Football Confederation
01:13are considering further action if Infantino refuses to step down,
01:18although no official confirmation has been given.
01:21Several football associations, including Qatar, Kuwait, Lebanon, Sri Lanka, and Indonesia,
01:28have publicly backed Infantino,
01:30while many African football officials have also expressed support.
01:35Infantino is seeking enough backing from FIFA's 211 member associations
01:39ahead of the presidential election in March,
01:42where he is expected to run for a fourth term.
01:44For more information, visit www.fema.gov.au
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