Premier League CEO Masters calls for new FIFA president as Infantino's World Cup sell-off collapses

Premier League chief executive Richard Masters has called for a new FIFA president and backed the FA’s decision to withdraw support from Gianni Infantino, following the Swiss official’s failed attempt to sell a portion of the World Cup to external investors.

Infantino unveiled the proposal earlier this summer before performing a swift U-turn under heavy criticism from governing bodies, politicians, and FIFA colleagues. The FA subsequently withdrew its backing despite a public apology from the president.

Speaking to BBC Sport, Masters was unambiguous in his assessment. “I don’t think FIFA should ever be contemplating selling off a stake in the World Cup,” he said. “They’re a not-for-profit organisation. They should really be holding that competition in trust for the future of football. I think it’s a bad idea, and the FA have taken the right position regards to Gianni.”

Masters went further, suggesting that whoever succeeds Infantino must prioritise structural reform. “I think an emerging unity candidate should have on his or her agenda reform of FIFA, and perhaps even reform of the president’s role and how it interacts with those things,” he added.

His remarks align with those of UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham, who has also called for Infantino’s removal. “My view is strengthening — this was an outrageous suggestion,” Burnham said. “The idea that it could even be brought forward, in my view, shows that the FIFA president is the wrong man to lead the organisation.”

Masters also raised concerns about a separate controversy: the cancellation of Folarin Balogun’s red card during the World Cup, which followed a reported phone call between Infantino and US President Donald Trump. “We worry about that particular episode,” Masters said. “I don’t understand why FIFA doesn’t have a very straightforward red card review process in place, like we do in the Premier League. That would have been a much better way to proceed.”

Masters stressed that political interference in football decisions cuts to the heart of FIFA’s own stated principles. “Generally speaking, FIFA is supposed to uphold non-political interference within the game of football. In fact, it’s part of its promise that it won’t allow it to happen in the rest of the game. So I think it’s a big issue, and it needs to be thought through properly.”

The mounting pressure on Infantino from one of football’s most commercially powerful leagues signals a deepening crisis of confidence in his leadership ahead of the 2026 World Cup.