FIFA condemns attempts to undermine Infantino

The International Federation of Association Football (FIFA) condemned on Saturday what it described as “coordinated and ongoing efforts by some parties to undermine” the sport’s governing body and its president, Gianni Infantino, amid continuing controversy over his controversial plan to involve private-sector investors in the World Cup, a plan he later retracted.

Infantino faces calls for his resignation following allegations published by a British newspaper concerning his previous tenure at the Union of European Football Associations (UEFA). The report claimed that his influence contributed to the promotion of a female employee and secured her a substantial financial settlement upon her departure, as well as covering her tuition fees at a business school. UEFA acknowledged paying a financial settlement and covering the cost of a Master of Business Administration program at the time.

In its statement, FIFA asserted that “the recent reports contained unsubstantiated allegations that have been proven false,” emphasizing that it “welcomes legitimate scrutiny” but would not tolerate “the distortion of facts or the exaggeration of inaccurate claims.” It added that it would confront any misleading media coverage directly and resolutely.

Infantino, who served as UEFA’s Secretary-General between 2009 and 2016, is preparing to run for a new term in March next year, but he faces growing opposition from UEFA, which has threatened to boycott World Cup tournaments, arguing that merely withdrawing the investment plan is insufficient.

FIFA stressed that the election of its president must be conducted in accordance with its statutes and established democratic procedures, affirming that “parties lacking the support of member associations should not seek to achieve through allegations or misinformation what they cannot accomplish through democratic processes.”