World football's governing body is closing ranks around its embattled president, Gianni Infantino, after a controversial commercial rights plan collapsed under a tide of internal opposition. The crisis, which erupted over a proposal to sell a stake in FIFA's commercial operations, has exposed deep fractures within the sport's leadership and raised serious questions about Infantino's path to a fourth term. Main Developments FIFA's management board, led by Secretary-General Mattias Grafstrom, issued a statement reaffirming its "full support" for Infantino, describing him as "the only official elected by the 211 FIFA Member Associations." The show of solidarity came after a crisis meeting in Rabat, Morocco, on Wednesday, convened in response to mounting pressure from UEFA and other confederations. Officials conceded that "mistakes were made" regarding the now-withdrawn FIFA Forward Enterprise proposal, which would have sold a 20 percent stake in a new commercial rights body to private investors, aiming to raise $4.2bn. The plan also involved a company with family ties to US President Donald Trump, a detail that fueled the backlash. Read also: Senate confirms Erica Schwartz as CDC chief amid agency crisis An apology has been issued in a separate letter to FIFA's managing council and member associations, with a review and report promised. FIFA also warned it would "no longer tolerate any attacks on its integrity" and would take "all necessary measures" to defend its reputation. Background Infantino, who has led FIFA since 2016, was expected to secure a fourth term at the organization's Congress in March. However, the collapse of the Forward Enterprise plan has emboldened his critics. UEFA, the Union of European Football Associations, said it had lost confidence in his leadership and issued FIFA with a "document preservation letter." Senior figures have also distanced themselves. Carlos Cordeiro, Infantino's senior adviser, resigned in protest, while former Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger publicly distanced himself from the plan. According to The Times of London, UEFA, Concacaf, and the Asian Football Confederation were prepared to paralyse FIFA or launch rival competitions if Infantino did not step aside. Why It Matters This rebellion marks one of the most serious challenges to FIFA's leadership in years, threatening to destabilize the organization just as it prepares for its next Congress. The involvement of a company tied to Trump adds a geopolitical layer, potentially complicating FIFA's relationships with member associations and external stakeholders. For the sport's global governance, the crisis raises critical questions about accountability and transparency. If confederations follow through on threats to launch rival competitions, the unity of international football could be shattered, affecting everything from World Cup qualifying to club tournaments. What's Next FIFA has promised a review and report following the apology, which could shed light on how the proposal advanced so far. The coming months will be crucial as Infantino seeks to rebuild trust ahead of the March Congress, where his re-election will be contested. Support from some federations, including Qatar and several African associations, suggests Infantino retains a base of backing. Yet the threats from UEFA and its allies remain unresolved, and the next moves by both sides will determine whether the crisis escalates or subsides.