FIFA internal memo leak show senior staff's true feelings on Gianni Infantino World Cup plan

A leaked memo has revealed exactly how FIFA secretary general Mattias Grafstrom felt about Gianni Infantino's controversial World Cup sell-off plan.

In what has undoubtedly been one of the biggest scandals in recent football history, FIFA president Infantino unveiled shocking plans to “invite third parties to make minority, non-controlling investments” in a new subsidiary called the FIFA Forward Enterprise (FFE).

The subsidiary was reportedly set to be worth around £15 billion and would essentially mean FIFA was selling the shares in the commercial and events operations, including the World Cup.

Almost immediately, UEFA issued a furious statement in response to the plans, promising to boycott playing in all FIFA competitions if Infantino's plan progressed.

Shortly after, Carlos Cordeiro, a senior advisor to Infantino, announced that he had resigned in a statement of opposition over what he described as a "bad deal for the game".

And now, an internal memo revealed by Sky News has revealed FIFA secretary general Grafstrom seemingly has a similar view on Infantino's daring plan.

"A sad and reproachable series of events - which were thankfully concluded with the FFE project permanently abandoned - for as much as we feel dismayed by them, should not overshadow this reality," Grafstrom wrote.

"We have all been thrown into the middle of a turmoil, which is difficult to comprehend and accept, but, as Secretary General, I urge you to remain focused on what has always united us: serving football and serving our 211 Member Associations, hand in hand with all relevant stakeholders and in full compliance with the FIFA Statutes and FIFA Regulations.

"I assure you that you as members of the administration, you will be defended and safeguarded from the political context we currently experience. You do not need to worry.

"Individuals, unstable moments and unfortunate episodes come and go. The institution, its mission and its responsibility towards world football continue, and that is why we should always keep our professionalism, sense of perspective and composure.”

Grafstrom also thanked staff for their commitment, adding: "I also want you to know that my door remains open for you, and I will continue to support our teams, our work and our mission every hour of every day for as long as my work is valued by those we serve."

And: "The last week has been both extraordinary and challenging for all the members of FIFA staff in our offices around the world."

READ MORE: UEFA come up with new plan to oust Gianni Infantino as fresh FIFA boycott talks proposed

Could Infantino lose his role as FIFA president?

The harsh backlash has led to calls for Infantino to lose his job as FIFA president.

As it stands, the Swiss is set to stand for re-election in March, as he hopes to secure a fourth and final term as president of football's governing body.

To do so, he would need 106 votes from FIFA's 211 members, something which looks increasingly unlikely as England and several other national associations have already withdrawn letters of support for his re-election.

Before then, it remains possible that the FIFA Council could try to force Infantino to resign early through an emergency meeting responding to the backlash.