Published: 11:07 BST, 22 August 2026 | Updated: 11:11 BST, 22 August 2026
Gianni Infantino has batted away questions about his future by making a series of bald jokes.
The embattled FIFA president was in no mood to face serious scrutiny even though weeks have passed since his clandestine plot to sell off stakes in the World Cup.
He scrapped the controversial plan after a huge backlash in the wake of The Times revealing the devious scheme, which would have banked him millions.
But the pressure is still on Infantino to step down, with UEFA saying they will boycott all FIFA tournaments until he does.
Asked by Sky News reporter James Matthews if he has betrayed football and why he won't resign, Infantino replied: 'You have a nice haircut, thank you so much. See you at the hairdressers.'
Gianni Infantino brushed off questions about his future with a series of bald jokes
The FIFA president quickly darted to a nearby vehicle to dodge questions posed by Sky News
In July, news broke Infantino was considering selling parts of the World Cup to private investors and forming a new company in a deal that could have been worth around £15billion.
The Times' report added that Infantino could become the commissioner of that company once his role at FIFA ends in 2031, a highly lucrative position that estimates suggest could pay him more than $50million-a-year.
Infantino's blueprint for the potential selling of stakes had been discussed among senior FIFA figures and potential investors, which could have included Joshua Kushner, the brother of Trump’s son-in-law Jared – and they signed non-disclosure agreements.
Bank JPMorgan was said to be handling the process and the Donald Trump administration is understood to have been consulted.
Earlier this month, Infantino was given the ‘full support’ of FIFA’s top brass after summoning executives to crisis talks in Morocco.
He had summoned senior FIFA officials to the Moroccan city of Sale for crisis talks after plans to sell £3.1billion in World Cup stakes leaked last week
The Swiss football administrator has since scrapped the proposals after widespread opposition – including an internal rebellion at FIFA.