Gianni Infantino: "Rich federations don't want others to develop"

Gianni Infantino: "Rich federations don't want others to grow"

FIFA President Gianni Infantino has said that the organization's main task is to close the gap between rich and poor federations.

Infantino has been under serious pressure recently. This was due to the failure of his plan to raise $4.2 billion by selling 20 percent of FIFA's commercial rights to private investors. If the deal had been implemented, each federation would have received $40 million.

The FIFA president, who met with representatives of the Caribbean Football Union in the Dominican Republic on Sunday, August 23, said of his goals:

"Our job is to develop football in each of the 211 member countries. Unfortunately, some of the big federations don't need it and don't want others to grow. But we must close this gap between the leading countries and the rest. We must open the door to investment and opportunities for others."

Next year, FIFA presidential elections will be held. However, according to Reuters, UEFA, AFC and CONCACAF may refuse to support Infantino. This issue is currently being discussed within the organizations.

Interestingly, CONCACAF President Victor Montagliani asked Infantino not to attend the U-14 tournament in the Dominican Republic. Due to the growing opposition to the FIFA president, it was said that his visit would negatively affect the prestige of the tournament. Nevertheless, Infantino, who went to the tournament, said that he was very warmly welcomed.