FIFA has issued a forceful statement condemning a "concerted and ongoing effort" to undermine the organisation and its president Gianni Infantino, following reports that questioned his conduct.
The claims stemmed from a Daily Telegraph article that alleged Infantino had a former lover who received a severance payment from UEFA after a relationship while he served as the European body’s general secretary. Infantino has strongly denied the allegations and FIFA has characterised them as “categorically untrue.”
In a broader context, Infantino has faced mounting pressure from UEFA and European football associations over his aborted FIFA Forward Enterprise (FFE) proposal. The proposal would have created a new company to manage commercial and ticketing rights, with 21% of the entity sold to a private investment firm. UEFA has lost confidence in Infantino, and Norwegian Football Federation president Lise Klaveness has publicly called for the Swiss‑Italian president to resign.
Despite this opposition, FIFA insists that it was democratically elected by its member associations and remains committed to its mandate. The organisation states that “those who lack the backing of FIFA’s member associations should not seek to undermine the institution through allegations or misinformation.”
Support for Infantino runs from outside Europe. Mexico’s federation, distinct from its continental body CONCACAF, announced backing for Infantino, mirroring a statement from CONMEBOL. The Confederation of African Football (CAF) also unanimously supports the president and calls for any removal to be decided through a vote among all 211 FIFA member countries.
FIFA’s response to allegations and controversies underscores its stance on maintaining governance integrity while highlighting divisions among football’s global and continental bodies.
