FIFA Defends President Gianni Infantino Amid Growing Criticism

FIFA has condemned what it calls attempts to “undermine” its president, Gianni Infantino.

Infantino has faced calls to resign from his role following the controversy over his decision to drop plans for selling stakes in the World Cup and other FIFA competitions.

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This proposal had drawn the ire of UEFA, football’s European governing body, which threatened a boycott; among others, England’s Football Association (FA) officially withdrew their support for the FIFA president.

Infantino is gearing up for re-election in March of the following year. He has received support from Conmebol and the Confederation of African Football (Caf).

Infantino has held the FIFA presidency since February 2016, following a seven-year tenure as UEFA’s general secretary.

Infantino has strongly denied an allegation raised by The Telegraph that Uefa allegedly paid off his former lover.

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FIFA reiterated its support for Infantino, stating, “We 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.” A FIFA spokesperson emphasized that Infantino was democratically elected and continues to have the backing of FIFA’s Member Associations.

“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.”

FIFA has denounced recent media reports as containing “unsubstantiated assertions and demonstrably false claims.” It stated that speculation should not be mistaken for fact, asserting that inaccuracies would be challenged immediately and assertively.

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“FIFA’s objective is to serve its 211 Member Associations and football globally. We will remain focused on strengthening the organization and continuing our mission to make football universally accessible,” the spokesperson concluded.

Despite the withdrawal of the sell-off plans, UEFA maintains that its boycott threat is still valid.

FIFA’s management board expressed its continued support for Infantino during a recent meeting in Morocco.

Fifa has hit out at what it described as attempts to “undermine” its embattled president, Gianni Infantino.

Infantino has faced calls to resign from his role in the aftermath of a saga that saw him abandon a proposed plan to sell off stakes in the World Cup and other Fifa competitions.

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That proposal brought the threat of a boycott from Uefa, European football’s governing body, with England’s Football Association (FA) among those to officially withdraw their support for the Fifa president.

Infantino is due to seek re-election in March of next year. He has received backing from South American body Conmebol and the Confederation of African Football (Caf).

Infantino succeeded Sepp Blatter as president of Fifa in February 2016 having previously served as Uefa’s general secretary for seven years.

Infantino has strongly denied a claim made by The Telegraph that Uefa paid off his alleged lover with a six-figure sum during his time working at European football’s governing body, and has now been given fresh backing by Fifa.

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“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,” a Fifa spokesperson said. “The Fifa President was democratically elected by Fifa’s Member Associations and continues to serve with their mandate.

“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.

“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.

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“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.

“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.

“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.”

Uefa has said that its threat to boycott remains in place despite the abandonment of the sell-off plans.

Fifa’s management board backed Infantino at a meeting in Morocco on Wednesday.