International Football Association (FIFA) President Gianni Infantino's plans to start selling shares in, among other things, the World Cup to private investors upset much of the football world - but they are also said to have surprised his inner circle.
According to information provided to The Athletic, general secretary Mattias Grafström has been completely kept out of the plans for the new company and the decision-making process. The Swede is said to have been left out of several processes and has become increasingly critical of Infantino's decision-making over the past year, the site writes.
"FIFA does not comment on speculation about internal relations," a FIFA spokesperson wrote in an email to TT about the information.
Infantino's plans have reportedly surprised even more people within the federation, according to FIFA's chief operating officer Kevin Lamour.
"This is a one-man project. FIFA staff have been misled by Infantino's lack of transparency about the plans for the scheme," Lamour told the AP earlier this week.
On Saturday night, the news came that Infantino was scrapping the criticised proposal.
