FIFA president Gianni Infantino has abandoned a proposal to bring private investors into a company controlling World Cup-related commercial rights, following strong opposition across football. The reversal matters because the plan had prompted threats of a boycott by European national associations and raised concerns about private ownership of the sport’s most valuable competitions.

The proposed $20 billion subsidiary would have included men’s and women’s World Cups and Club World Cups, with private investors set to own 20%. FIFA identified a firm founded by Joshua Kushner as the intended anchor investor; critics said the organisation, which has substantial reserves and reported $15 billion in World Cup-related revenue over four years, did not need to sell a permanent stake. Senior adviser Carlos Cordeiro resigned in protest, while FIFA’s chief operating officer said staff had been misled over the proposal.