FIFA condemns "coordinated and sustained efforts" to undermine Infantino

The International Federation of Association Football (FIFA) has condemned what it described as “coordinated and sustained efforts by certain parties to undermine” the sport’s governing body and its president, Gianni Infantino, amid ongoing controversy over his withdrawn plan for private investment.

Infantino is facing calls for his resignation, as well as allegations published two days ago by a British newspaper concerning his previous tenure at the Union of European Football Associations (UEFA).

In a statement, FIFA said: “Recent reports included unproven allegations and claims proven false regarding FIFA and its president.”

Infantino served as Secretary General of UEFA from 2009 to 2016.

The Telegraph newspaper reported that the Italian-Swiss lawyer had previously used his influence to help promote a female employee at UEFA. The newspaper, without identifying its sources, added that the employee received a substantial financial settlement upon her departure, in addition to coverage of tuition fees for a business school program amounting to approximately $60,000.

When contacted by the France 24 news agency, UEFA acknowledged that a “financial payment was made to the individual concerned upon departure” at the time, along with “reimbursement of fees for a Master’s in Business Administration program at a local business school.”

Emphasizing in its statement posted on social media yesterday, FIFA stated that it “welcomes legitimate scrutiny.” It added: “But scrutiny does not grant the right to distort facts, exaggerate unproven allegations, or create side issues aimed at undermining progress. When media coverage is inaccurate or misleading, FIFA will confront it directly and resolutely.”

Infantino, who intends to run for re-election in March next year, has been embroiled in a crisis since he announced late last month his controversial plan to open the World Cup to private investors, a plan he later retracted.

He faces opposition particularly from UEFA, which on Thursday reiterated its threat to boycott World Cup tournaments, arguing that merely withdrawing the controversial plan is not enough.

FIFA stated that it “will not support, facilitate, or tolerate any process related to the election of a FIFA President that does not comply with FIFA’s Statutes, its democratic procedures, and its adopted governance framework.”

The statement added: “Parties lacking the support of FIFA’s member associations should not seek through allegations, hints, or misinformation what they are unable to achieve through the democratic processes established within FIFA.”