FIFA denies Infantino is seeking Trump administration help as pressure mounts over his leadership

FIFA is pushing back on a New York Post report claiming President Gianni Infantino is turning to the Trump administration for help as he fights to save his job.

A FIFA source told OutKick there is no call scheduled between Infantino and Secretary of State Marco Rubio — or any other member of President Donald Trump’s Cabinet — either Monday or at any other time.

CLICK HERE FOR MORE OUTKICK SPORTS COVERAGE

The source said the Post’s report that such a conversation had been arranged was erroneous.

The New York Post reported Monday that Infantino was scheduled to speak privately with Rubio amid growing pressure over his failed attempt to sell a portion of FIFA’s commercial business to private investors.

According to the Post, the stated purpose of the conversation was to discuss how soccer could serve as a form of American "soft power." However, one source characterized it as an effort by Infantino to secure support for his position.

"He wanted to get online with the secretary and talk about how soccer can be a form of soft power for America," the source told the Post. "But we all know that it is about job protection. It is not about anything else at this point."

The report also claimed Infantino had repeatedly attempted to reach Trump since the controversial proposal collapsed Friday and was seeking prominent "allies" willing to publicly defend him.

FIFA’s source specifically denied that a call with Rubio or another Trump Cabinet official was scheduled. FIFA did not provide an on-the-record statement addressing the Post’s separate claim that Infantino had attempted to contact Trump.

Infantino and Trump have developed a friendship, particularly during this summer’s World Cup in the United States. But Infantino’s current problems center on a proposed company called FIFA Forward Enterprise.

EUROPEAN SOCCER'S GOVERNING BODY FLIPS SPORT UPSIDE DOWN WITH BOYCOTT OF FIFA, FUTURE WORLD CUPS

The new operation would have taken control of FIFA’s broadcasting, sponsorship, licensing and ticketing business.

Thrive Capital, the private equity firm founded by Josh Kushner — the younger brother of Trump son-in-law Jared Kushner — would have purchased a 20% stake for a little more than $4 billion.

Put simply, Infantino wanted to sell private investors a portion of the business responsible for generating much of FIFA’s money.

The proposal reportedly caught several top FIFA officials and national soccer federations by surprise, with many claiming they first learned about it through media reports.

FIFA Chief Operating Officer Kevin Lamour said he felt "deceived" and described the proposal as the work of one man.

The backlash was swift.

UEFA’s 55 European member associations agreed to boycott FIFA competitions while the proposal remained active. The Asian Football Confederation and Concacaf also opposed the plan. UEFA has threatened legal action and instructed FIFA officials to preserve documents and electronic communications connected to it.

Infantino eventually abandoned the proposal Friday, but that has not stopped the revolt against his leadership.

Wales became the first national federation to officially withdraw its support for Infantino’s re-election, citing failures involving governance, leadership, communication and judgment. England has also reportedly withdrawn its backing, while UEFA said Infantino has lost the confidence of world soccer and that "no option should be off the table."

Infantino appeared nearly certain to win another term only weeks ago after reportedly securing pledges from roughly 200 of FIFA’s 211 member federations. He still has significant support in Africa and parts of Asia.

But as opposition continues to build, FIFA says no rescue call with Rubio or another Trump Cabinet official is on the calendar.