FIFA Strongly Defends Infantino, Slams Coordinated Efforts to Undermine Leadership

FIFA defends Gianni Infantino, rejects attempts to undermine president amid ongoing criticism

Zurich, August 9

In a statement posted on X by FIFA Media, a FIFA spokesperson said the organisation would not support, facilitate or tolerate any process concerning the election of the FIFA President that is inconsistent with FIFA's statutes, democratic procedures and established governance framework.

The statement echoed recent remarks by the South American Football Confederation (CONMEBOL) and the Confederation of African Football (CAF), as well as discussions with FIFA Member Associations and Confederations worldwide.

"Echoing the recent statements of CONMEBOL and CAF, as well as discussions with FIFA Member Associations and Confederations from around the world, FIFA will not support, facilitate or tolerate any process concerning the election of the FIFA President that is inconsistent with FIFA's Statutes, democratic procedures and established governance framework. The FIFA President was democratically elected by FIFA's Member Associations and continues to serve with their mandate," the spokesperson said.

FIFA alleged that there was an ongoing effort by some individuals to undermine the organisation and its president.

"It is increasingly evident that there is a concerted and ongoing effort by some to undermine FIFA and its President. 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," the statement added.

The governing body also criticised what it described as "unsubstantiated assertions" and "demonstrably false claims" made in recent reports concerning FIFA and Infantino.

"Recent reporting has included unsubstantiated assertions and demonstrably false claims concerning FIFA and its President. Speculation and insinuation should not be presented as fact, and repetition does not make an allegation true," it further added.

Highlighting Infantino's contribution to the sport, FIFA said the president has dedicated more than three decades to European and world football and played a key role in expanding access, resources and opportunities across the game globally.

"The FIFA President has dedicated more than 30 years of his professional life to European and world football, contributing to significant change in the game and, in particular, to broadening access, resources and opportunity across world football. Change inevitably challenges established interests, but disagreement with that change cannot justify efforts to undermine the democratic mandate of FIFA's President or the institution he was elected to lead," the statement said, as quoted by FIFA Media's X handle.

According to FIFA, while reforms and changes may challenge established interests, disagreement with those changes does not justify attempts to undermine the democratic mandate of the FIFA President or the institution he was elected to lead.

The organisation also said it welcomed legitimate scrutiny but warned against the distortion of facts and the amplification of unverified allegations.

"FIFA welcomes legitimate scrutiny. But scrutiny is not a licence to distort facts, amplify unsubstantiated allegations or manufacture distractions designed to undermine progress. Where reporting is inaccurate or misleading, FIFA will challenge it directly and vigorously," the statement said.

Reiterating its priorities, FIFA said its responsibility remains towards its 211 Member Associations and the global football community.

"FIFA's responsibility is to its 211 Member Associations and to football around the world. We will not be distracted or diverted from strengthening the organisation, delivering for our Member Associations and continuing the work of making football truly global. Through the FIFA President and the FIFA administration, our focus remains firmly on that mission, and we are more determined than ever to fulfil it," the statement concluded.

Both FIFA and Infantino have come under intense scrutiny since the announcement of the FFE, a proposed entity aimed at consolidating the sale of FIFA's commercial rights--including broadcasting, sponsorship, ticketing and licensing - along with the operational delivery of its tournaments. Under the plan, FIFA intended to raise upto USD 4.2 billion by selling minority, non-controlling stakes in the FFE to external investors.

However, this move generated a lot of concern and anger from the football fraternity, particularly UEFA, who felt that the sport, particularly its showpiece event, the FIFA World Cup, was being put for sale. Also, CONCACAF, the governing body for football in North America, Central America and the Caribbean, also said its members had raised "deep concerns" over the proposal, citing a lack of due process, an unusually short consultation period, and the absence of review or approval by FIFA's relevant governance bodies.

After facing the wrath from various quarters in world football, FIFA went on to drop its plans of establishing FFE. But nonetheless, Infantino continued to face anger from world football, with the FA (Football Association) in England set to withdraw support for his re-election to the top post, after the Football Association of Wales had become the first football association to do so.

— ANI