Andrew Giuliani backs Gianni Infantino amid backlash over World Cup stake sale

FIFA president Gianni Infantino’s proposal to sell about one-fifth of a newly created commercial arm, FIFA Forward Enterprise, sparked condemnation from UEFA, CONCACAF, the Asian Football Confederation and the football associations of England, Wales, the Republic of Ireland and New Zealand. The venture was set to involve investors such as Joshua Kushner, brother of Trump’s son-in-law Jared Kushner. After intense backlash, Infantino abandoned the plan in late July, yet the episode has weakened his re-election prospects.

Andrew Giuliani, executive director of the White House Task Force for the recently completed World Cup and son of former New York mayor Rudy Giuliani, publicly supported Infantino, labeling the dissent as politically motivated jealousy. He cited previous instances where high-profile figures were targeted and urged observers to consider Infantino’s broader achievements. Giuliani concluded that the commercialization of sport is inevitable and that Infantino remains the leader he would choose.