FIFA issued a statement on Saturday condemning what it called a "coordinated and continuous effort" to undermine president Gianni Infantino. The organization said any attempt to challenge his leadership must follow FIFA's statutes and democratic procedures.
The statement came amid a deepening standoff over Infantino's leadership following the collapse of his plan to raise about $4.2 billion by selling a stake in commercial rights to the World Cup and other tournaments.
The plan drew criticism from UEFA, national federations and senior FIFA officials, prompted calls for Infantino to resign, and led to a crisis meeting in Morocco this week, where FIFA's leadership reaffirmed its support for the president. FIFA did not name who it believed was trying to undermine Infantino, nor did it specify which reports or allegations it was referring to.
The statement followed reporting by The Daily Telegraph on payments made by UEFA to a former employee during the period when Infantino served as the organization's secretary general. Infantino has denied the allegations, and FIFA called them unfounded.
FIFA said those who lack the backing of its member associations should not try to achieve through allegations, insinuation or misinformation what they cannot achieve through the democratic processes FIFA has established. The organization said recent reports contained unfounded claims and demonstrably false allegations about FIFA and its president, and added it would contest inaccurate or misleading reporting directly and vigorously.
FIFA said it would not support, facilitate or tolerate any process related to the election of its president that was incompatible with its statutes, democratic procedures and governance structure. It said its president was democratically elected by the member associations and continues to hold office in accordance with their mandate.
Support for FIFA splits among members
Following the crisis meeting held in Morocco on Wednesday, FIFA apologized to its 211 member associations for mistakes made in handling the proposal and said its leadership had reaffirmed full support for Infantino.
The fallout has cast a shadow over Infantino's bid for a fourth term at FIFA's Congress in Morocco in March 2027. No clear rival to challenge him has emerged so far.
UEFA said it no longer has confidence in Infantino, while Norwegian Football Federation president Lise Klaveness called for his resignation, saying he no longer holds the institutional trust needed to govern world football.
Infantino still enjoys substantial support among the 211 members. The Confederation of African Football unanimously backed his leadership, while South America's CONMEBOL rejected any attempt to remove him that did not involve a vote of all FIFA members.
The Mexican Football Federation also backed Infantino, even as the regional confederation CONCACAF called for a full evaluation of his presidency. The Mexican federation said it would not recognize or approve any process carried out outside that institutional framework.
