“Having listened carefully to all the views, it has become clear that the project has created divisions of a nature that, regardless of the level of support, are no longer in the interest of the objective set out in the first place,” Infantino said in a statement.

US President Donald Trump speaks with FIFA President Gianni Infantino as confetti falls at the conclusion of the World Cup championship final soccer match between Spain and…

OPINION: Gianni Infantino's plan to sell off stakes in the World Cup has led to a monstrous backlash - and UEFA's threat to boycott tournaments means his position is now untenable

Trump said he was not told in advance about Infantino’s business plans, and has not rushed to his ally’s defense.

The FIFA president said the project “created divisions” that don’t accomplish his goal.