FIFA president Gianni Infantino has been asked not to attend a youth tournament in the Dominican Republic, as the dispute over his plans to sell a stake in a new World Cup business deepens.
Victor Montagliani, president of CONCACAF and a FIFA vice-president, wrote to Infantino on Friday asking him to reconsider his planned visit to the Caribbean Football Union Under-14 tournament this weekend.
Montagliani warned that the FIFA president’s presence could “undermine” the event because of the media attention surrounding the crisis within football’s governing body.
Infantino flew to the Caribbean island on Sunday, where he was welcomed by local politicians. However, he avoided questions from Sky News about the pressure on his leadership and did not comment on his future.
In his letter, Montagliani said the “governance crisis” linked to the proposed investment deal would “unfortunately significantly take away from the technical nature of the CFU youth competition”.
He added: “I respectfully ask you in the name of football to reconsider your attendance as it will unfortunately undermine the technical nature of this important youth development activity.”
It is understood Infantino had been invited to the tournament before football officials became aware of confidential plans to sell shares in a new World Cup venture to private investors.
Those plans, which would involve selling 20% of the World Cup to private equity, were leaked last month and have caused significant anger among members of the CONCACAF region.
FIFA has been asked for a response to Montagliani’s letter.
Despite the warning, videos posted on social media showed local officials saying they were honoured to welcome Infantino to Punta Cana. He also posed for a photograph with Jose Deschamps, president of the Dominican Republic Football Association.
FIFA provides millions of dollars in development funding to the Dominican Republic, with much of that money generated by the World Cup.
The controversy has already prompted several confederations to question Infantino’s position. CONCACAF joined the European and Asian football confederations in signing a letter two weeks ago calling for him to leave office.
The letter accused Infantino of a “fundamental breach of trust” after football officials were allegedly kept unaware of the plans to involve private investors in the World Cup.
It said: “when trust is broken through deception, when an individual places himself above the collective that entrusted him with authority, that duty has been abandoned”.
Infantino retains the support of Mexico, one of the three co-hosts of the 2026 World Cup. However, the other hosts, Canada and the United States, have criticised his leadership.
He also continues to have the backing of the South American confederation, CONMEBOL. The organisation is campaigning for the 2030 World Cup to be expanded to 64 teams, allowing more matches to be staged in South America.
Fan groups launched a global campaign for Infantino’s resignation this week. When questioned by Sky News on Friday, he did not address their concerns.
A FIFA presidential election is due to take place next year. Football associations including England, Wales and Scotland have withdrawn earlier letters supporting Infantino.
The deadline for candidates to enter the election is November.