Fifa faces criticism from Premier League chief over World Cup management
5 sources • 1 min read • Latest: Aug 18, 2026, 6:34 PM
Last updated Aug 18, 2026
Premier League chief executive Richard Masters criticized Fifa president Gianni Infantino's abandoned plan to create a company for managing World Cup rights, calling it a "self-inflicted wound". The proposal, which would have sold a 21% stake to private investors, faced backlash from several confederations, including Uefa, which suggested a boycott of Fifa events. Masters supported the English Football Association's withdrawal of support for Infantino, advocating for a new candidate to unify football governance. He expressed concerns about the current direction of Fifa, particularly around finances and governance reforms.
- •Richard Masters criticizes Fifa's World Cup sell-off plan.
- •Infantino's management proposal met with widespread backlash.
- •FA and Premier League withdraw support for Infantino.
- •Masters calls for a 'unity candidate' for Fifa president.
- •Controversy includes concerns over integrity and governance.
- 6:34 PMYahoo Sports — Premier League head: FIFA hit self-destruct button over World Cup plan
- 5:39 PMYahoo Sports — Premier League chief claims Gianni Infantino ‘pressed the self-destruct button’ with World Cup sell-off plan
- 4:31 PMYahoo Sports — Premier League chief says Fifa self-destructed over World Cup plan
- 4:18 PMBBC Sport — Premier League chief says Fifa self-destructed over World Cup plan
"Premier League chief executive Richard Masters has accused embattled FIFA president Gianni Infantino of pressing the “self-destruct button” over failed plans to sell stakes in the World Cup. Infantino is fighting to stay in his job following huge backlash to his intention to sell a minority stake in FIFA tournaments to private investors.
"Premier League chief executive Richard Masters has criticised Fifa president Gianni Infantino's World Cup sell-off plan, saying the organisation has "pressed the self-destruct button" by delivering "a self-inflicted wound".
"Premier League chief executive Richard Masters has criticised Fifa president Gianni Infantino's World Cup sell-off plan, saying the organisation has "pressed the self-destruct button" by delivering "a self-inflicted wound".
Sources
External links- Yahoo SportsAug 18, 2026, 6:34 PMPremier League head: FIFA hit self-destruct button over World Cup plan
Premier League chief executive Richard Masters has accused embattled FIFA president Gianni Infantino of pressing the “self-destruct button” over failed plans to sell stakes in the World Cup. Infantino is fighting to stay in his job following huge backlash to his intention to sell a minority stake in FIFA tournaments to private investors.
- Yahoo SportsAug 18, 2026, 5:39 PMPremier League chief claims Gianni Infantino ‘pressed the self-destruct button’ with World Cup sell-off plan
Gianni Infantino has faced fierce criticism after being forced to abandon his World Cup sell-off plan
- Yahoo SportsAug 18, 2026, 4:31 PMPremier League chief says Fifa self-destructed over World Cup plan
Premier League chief executive Richard Masters has criticised Fifa president Gianni Infantino's World Cup sell-off plan, saying the organisation has "pressed the self-destruct button" by delivering "a self-inflicted wound".
- BBC SportAug 18, 2026, 4:18 PMPremier League chief says Fifa self-destructed over World Cup plan
Premier League chief executive Richard Masters has criticised Fifa president Gianni Infantino's World Cup sell-off plan, saying the organisation has "pressed the self-destruct button" by delivering "a self-inflicted wound".
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