FIFA defends Gianni Infantino as leadership dispute deepens

FIFA defended president Gianni Infantino against what it described as a ‘concerted and ongoing effort’ to undermine his leadership on Saturday, insisting that any challenge must follow the governing body’s act and democratic procedures.

The statement came amid growing tensions over Infantino’s presidency after his proposal to raise around $4.2 billion by selling a stake in the commercial rights to the World Cup and other tournaments collapsed.

The plan faced criticism from UEFA, national football associations and senior FIFA officials, prompting calls for Infantino to resign. 

A crisis meeting in Morocco on Wednesday, however, ended with FIFA’s leadership reaffirming its support for the president.

FIFA did not identify those it accused of attempting to undermine Infantino, nor did it specify which reports or allegations it was addressing.

The statement followed reports by The Daily Telegraph concerning payments made by UEFA to a former employee during Infantino’s time as the European governing body’s general secretary. Infantino has denied the allegations, while FIFA dismissed them as unfounded.

“Those who do not have the support of FIFA’s Member Associations should not seek to achieve through allegation, insinuation or misinformation what they cannot achieve through FIFA’s established democratic processes,” FIFA said.

It added that recent reports had contained “unsubstantiated assertions and demonstrably false claims” and vowed to challenge inaccurate or misleading coverage “directly and vigorously”.

The dispute has cast uncertainty over Infantino’s bid for a fourth term in March. UEFA has withdrawn its confidence in him, while Norway’s Lise Klaveness has called for his resignation.

Despite the opposition, Infantino retains significant backing, with CAF unanimously supporting him and CONMEBOL rejecting attempts to remove him without a vote of all FIFA members.