U.S. President Donald Trump has thrown his support behind FIFA President Gianni Infantino, calling any attempt to remove him from office a “terrible mistake”.

Trump praised Infantino for presiding over what he described as the most successful FIFA World Cup ever, warning that future tournaments would not be as successful or profitable without him.

Infantino has faced growing criticism following FIFA’s failed plan last month to launch the FIFA Forward Enterprise. The proposal would have allowed private investors to acquire a stake in the commercial rights of the World Cup, with the aim of raising billions of dollars.

The plan triggered a backlash within football’s governing bodies. CONCACAF, the organisation overseeing football in North, Central America and the Caribbean, has threatened to boycott FIFA tournaments unless it receives assurances that similar commercial schemes will not be proposed again.