Resistance to FIFA President Gianni Infantino is growing at FC Bayern. Following sports director Max Eberl and honorary president Uli Hoeneß, President Herbert Hainer has now also significantly stepped up his criticism. The 72-year-old is calling for consequences following the world governing body’s failed investor initiative.
Just a few hours after FC Bayern arrived on the South Korean island of Jeju as part of the Audi Summer Tour, Hainer doubled down during a press conference.
“I am convinced that there are now strong efforts to thoroughly investigate this matter and then draw the necessary conclusions,” the Bayern president explained. In his view, it must be ensured in the future “that such things no longer happen and that there is a significantly more democratic process going forward, one in which all member countries and confederations are involved when such decisions are being prepared.”
Hainer Welcomes the End of the Investor Plans
Even before departing for Asia, Hainer had sharply criticized FIFA’s now-failed plans. The world governing body had wanted to sell shares in the World Cup to investors but encountered massive resistance from Europe, North and Central America, and Asia.
Accordingly, the Bayern president expressed relief at the failure of the plan: “First of all, I have to say, it’s a blessing that this nightmare is over as quickly as it began, and that this absurd idea is off the table.”
Hainer declined to comment on whether Infantino himself would survive the scandal politically. “That’s for the member countries to decide,” emphasized the 72-year-old. At the same time, he pointed out that the pressure on the FIFA president is now enormous and that it must be addressed how such a proposal could have arisen in the first place without the involvement of the continental confederations.
Bayern Stands United Against FIFA
With his statements, Hainer aligns himself with the clear stance taken by Bayern’s leadership. In recent days, Max Eberl and Uli Hoeneß had already sharply criticized FIFA’s move.
Hainer once again made clear his fundamental understanding of the world governing body’s role: “My basic understanding is that FIFA, as the world’s largest governing body, exists to organize the game of soccer so that everyone around the world can play it fairly and according to certain rules.”
For the Bayern president, soccer should not be viewed exclusively through an economic lens. “It’s unacceptable for soccer to become increasingly commercialized and used solely to generate more revenue,” he clarified.
While FC Bayern continues its Asian tour with friendly matches against Jeju SK and Aston Villa, the debate over the future of FIFA and Gianni Infantino’s leadership remains one of the defining issues in international soccer.