Kathmandu— Following growing outrage over FIFA president Gianni Infantino’s controversial plan to open the World Cup to private investment, the organization held a crisis meeting on Wednesday. In a statement issued afterward, FIFA apologized and acknowledged errors made following the leak of the proposal to media. The football body reaffirmed its support for Infantino's continued leadership despite calls for his resignation.

FIFA Leadership Reaffirms Support

In a statement released after the crisis meeting in Rabat, Morocco, FIFA’s management board expressed full support for Gianni Infantino as president. The statement emphasized that Infantino remains the only official elected by the 211 FIFA Member Associations and that he would continue to lead the organization despite recent controversies.

FIFA also sent a separate letter to FIFA Council members and member associations, apologizing for the errors made after the proposal was leaked to media and promising a review of the situation.

Promise of Review and Protection

The football body stressed that it would no longer tolerate any attacks on its integrity, good governance, or due process. FIFA vowed to take all necessary measures to protect its reputation moving forward.

Calls for Infantino’s resignation have intensified since he abandoned the controversial plan over the weekend.

(With inputs from DW)

Originally published on abcnews.com.np.