FIFA finances extremely solid, says Infantino

MANAMA, Bahrain: FIFA president Gianni Infantino claimed on Monday that the finances of football’s governing body were “extremely solid”, despite it posting a $369 million loss earlier this year.

Speaking at the Asian Football Confederation’s congress here, Infantino said the losses were in line with FIFA’s “business model” and there was no need for it to give “artificial” figures.

“In spite of what some have been trying to write or to say, FIFA’s finances are extremely solid,” Infantino told delegates in a short address.

He added that it was normal for FIFA to make losses for three years and then “make revenue” during the fourth financial year, when a World Cup takes place.

“That’s how the business model is conducted,” he continued.

“We don’t need to tell you other stories, we don’t need to make our figures artificial (or) look better by some accounting measures.

“The situation is that the finances of FIFA are extremely solid.” FIFA has said previously that its losses could increase throughout this year, but rebound in 2018 to a profit of $1 billion, largely due to TV deals from the Russian World Cup. Monday’s congress also saw the AFC finally elect members to the all-powerful FIFA Council.