Key questions as Infantino faces Fifa executives

Fifa president Gianni Infantino will meet with senior leaders of football's world governing body on Wednesday as criticism of his now scrapped plan to sell off Fifa's commercial and event operations intensifies.

After secretary general Mattias Grafstrom sent a highly critical internal memo to Fifa staff, Infantino summoned members of the Fifa management board to Morocco.

Tuesday also saw chief of global football development Arsene Wenger insist he was "not involved" in Infantino's Fifa Forward Enterprise proposal, adding that aborting it was "absolutely necessary and beyond question".

Prince Ali, president of the Jordanian Football Association, then accused Fifa of creating a situation which "amounts to blackmail" over unpaid prize money and support for Infantino's re-election.

These claims have not been verified by the BBC, and Fifa made no comment when approached. But Prince Ali's statement is indicative of the strength of feeling among the member associations that oppose Infantino.

At the weekend, Uefa said it had lost confidence in Infantino's leadership. Several member associations - including Wales, with England set to follow suit - have withdrawn support for his re-election.

Now Infantino will meet with Fifa's hierarchy to try to secure his position.

Who is at the meeting and what is it for?

BBC Sport understands the meeting will take place at Fifa's Africa office in Rabat.

It will include Grafstrom and members of the Fifa management board.

Among those in attendance will be finance chief Thomas Peyer, legal chief Emilio Garcia Silvero, chief of staff Daniel O'Toole, chief of member associations Elkhan Mammadov and media relations director Bryan Swanson.

It is unclear the intention of the meeting, but it is expected that Infantino will attempt to build bridges in an attempt to create a path to remaining as president.

However, this may not be straightforward.

In his letter to Fifa staff, Grafstrom said the events of the past week had been "a sad and reproachable series of events" which were "difficult to comprehend and accept".

On Friday, Kevin Lamour, Fifa's chief operating officer, said the private investment plan was "the project of one person". He added Fifa's own administration was "deceived".

Infantino will have to show contrition and perhaps offer a route to reform if he is to win back the support of his inner circle.

What are the key questions Infantino may face?

Carlos Cordeiro, Infantino's senior adviser on global strategy and governance, quit on Friday over the plan.

Cordeiro said the proposal was "a bad deal for football" and would "mortgage football's future".

Member associations had been given a deadline of 19 September to approve the plan or miss out on the extra funding that came as part of the deal.

In his resignation announcement, Cordeiro offered a series of questions which Infantino will likely face at Wednesday's meeting.

"Most troubling of all," Mr Cordeiro said, "is the absence of answers to fundamental questions.

"Why this deal? Why now? What oversight exists? Who benefits? Was there a competitive process? What governance will be in place? What will investors ultimately gain, and at what cost to football?

"These questions remain largely unanswered, and yet member associations are being asked to make a decision of enormous consequence in barely 50 days or risk being left behind.

"That is not a responsible way to determine the future of the world's game.

"This proposal has become a defining question for Fifa's future."

On top of this, Infantino may also have to map out - or could offer - a route for reform.

This may involve putting additional checks and balances in place that would make it impossible for such a plan to be devised and presented in this way again.

Perhaps he could shelve his plans for a 64-team World Cup? Or offer to open up Fifa's cash reserves?

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Is Infantino going to quit today?

It seems unlikely that Infantino will leave his position as Fifa president by the end of Wednesday.

Infantino has, so far, shown no indication he is considering relinquishing his position. Indeed, he has been trying to rally his core supporter base around the globe.

On Tuesday we saw African countries Egypt, Morocco, Niger, Mauritania and DR Congo all issue statements in support of Infantino.