What’s wrong with FIFA? Look beyond Infantino

Gianni Infantino’s recent capitulation looks like a textbook case of overreach by a leader unaccustomed to restraints on their power. The FIFA president’s plan to sell a stake in a $20 billion commercial vehicle to private investors unraveled in four days as a global backlash mounted and even close colleagues disowned the project. His own position is now in question. Anyone hoping that replacing the head will bring an end to recurring scandals is likely to be disappointed: What world soccer’s governing body needs above all is structural change. “We will restore the image of FIFA and the respect of FIFA, and everyone in the world will applaud us,” Infantino said in 2016 after winning the presidency, going on to promise a new, transparent era for the organization. It’s a statement that hasn’t aged well. For many followers of the sport, what is most striking about Infantino’s tenure is how little it has differed in style from that of his predecessor Sepp Blatter, who resigned and was subsequently banned after U.S. authorities arrested seven FIFA officials on racketeering, wire fraud and money laundering charges. There have been no comparable criminal scandals under Infantino’s leadership, but his presidency has been characterized by the same imperial manner and the persistence of ethical and governance concerns. Like Blatter and Joao Havelange before him, Infantino has increasingly behaved as if he is the personification of soccer. The most visible example of that is the extraordinary 15-page message he posted on Instagram after the World Cup. The FIFA president gloated over the success of the tournament and repeatedly taunted those he called “haters,” advising detractors who “missed all that joy and togetherness” to watch a soccer match. It doesn’t seem to have occurred to Infantino that people could see and enjoy the games while simultaneously disapproving of him and his organization — nor that, rather than hatred, critics might be motivated by their love of the beautiful game. With your current subscription plan you can comment on stories. However, before writing your first comment, please create a display name in the Profile section of your subscriber account page.