Infantino says ‘I’ll see you at the hairdressers’ in bizarre response to questions about ‘betraying’ Fifa

Fifa president Gianni Infantino responded with the quip “I’ll see you at the hairdressers” when challenged by a journalist over whether he had betrayed football with his abandoned World Cup sell-off scheme.

The head of football’s governing body was confronted outside a hotel in the Dominican Republic by Sky News US correspondent James Matthews.

The journalist asked Infantino why he had refused to step down, despite calls across the sport.

Three continental confederations accused the president of “deception” last week over efforts to introduce private investment into Fifa tournaments.

Uefa, the Union of European Football Associations, has also threatened a boycott of Fifa competitions, having “lost confidence” in Infantino’s leadership.

Matthews, who like 56-year-old Infantino has a bald head, asked Infantino if he had “betrayed the game of football”.

Infantino replied: ”You have a nice haircut. Thank you so much.”

As the president walked off, Matthews asked: “Why won’t you resign? Fans, Fifa associations want you to step down. Why won’t you? Have you betrayed the trust of Fifa?”

Entering a waiting black vehicle, Infantino called back: “I’ll see you at the hairdressers.”

Supporters' groups across the world have launched a petition demanding Infantino’s resignation.

While the Swiss official retains support in regions including Africa and South America, representative fan groups are now urging him to step down through a petition hosted on the change.org website.

"The shameful attempt by one individual – the Fifa president himself – to sell off the World Cup to private investors exposed a betrayal football will never forget," a statement on behalf of the fan organisations said.

"Infantino’s plan was stitched together in secret. Negotiated behind closed doors. Hidden from Fifa’s own members and from the millions of people whose passion makes football what it is."

Individual supporters are being encouraged to sign the petition, which has already gathered backing across all six Fifa confederations from continental and national supporter groups.

Fan organisations view the private investment proposal as a final straw, following Fifa’s involvement in discussions concerning the European Super League and its ticket pricing structure for this summer’s men’s World Cup.