LONDON: There is usually a lull after a World Cup, as the global football family takes a deep breath before the club season begins, but not this summer. FIFA’s turmoil has dominated headlines and, as the Saudi Pro League kicks off on Thursday, the politics off the pitch is attracting almost as much attention as the football. Nobody knows what will happen next, but the consequences could be seismic. Gianni Infantino’s proposal to sell a stake in the World Cup’s commercial rights to private American investors, first reported by The Times on July 28, provoked a furious backlash.

The backlash to Infantino's plans to sell a stake in the World Cup continues to grow, with soccer execs, player legends and world leaders calling on the FIFA president to reign.

LONDON: There is usually a lull after a World Cup, as the global football family takes a deep breath before the club season begins, but not this summer. FIFA’s turmoil has…