FIFA said Saturday that Gianni Infantino was democratically elected by the organization's member associations and continues to serve in line with the mandate they gave him, defending the 56-year-old president against a wave of criticism.
Infantino has faced a string of setbacks in recent weeks. In late July he tried and failed to create FIFA Forward Enterprise, a company that would have sold part of FIFA to private investors, and the plan triggered a rebellion from European football bodies. He also held a secret crisis meeting with allies in Morocco.
FIFA accuses critics of a coordinated campaign
In a statement posted on X, FIFA said it was becoming increasingly clear that some parties were carrying out a coordinated, ongoing effort to discredit the organization and its president. The federation said those without the backing of FIFA's member associations should not try to gain ground through allegations, insinuations or false information.
A separate post from a FIFA spokesperson on the federation's X account read: "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..."
Statement points to 'unfounded' allegations
FIFA said recent articles had circulated unfounded claims and clearly false allegations about its Italian-Swiss-Lebanese president. Speculation and insinuation should not be presented as fact, the spokesperson said, adding that repeating an allegation does not make it true. The statement appeared to allude to a corruption case involving a former mistress of Infantino.
FIFA credits Infantino with 'significant changes'
The federation also praised Infantino's record, saying he had devoted more than 30 years of his professional life to European and world football and had contributed to significant changes in the sport, particularly in broadening access, resources and opportunities in football worldwide. FIFA said that record could not justify efforts to undermine the president's democratic mandate or that of the institution he was elected to lead.
FIFA said it remained open to any legitimate scrutiny but would not be diverted from its goal of strengthening the organization, meeting the expectations of its member federations and continuing its work to make football a truly global sport. The federation said it was more determined than ever to carry out that mission. It remains unclear whether that mission will be carried out with Infantino still in charge.
Pressure builds from Europe and beyond
Athletistic also reported that women's professional basketball in the United States was debating whether to exclude transgender players, after comments from Sophie Cunningham reignited the debate.
Separately, Morocco and Algeria both reached the semifinals of the Africa Cup of Nations, moving a step closer to a possible final between the two and securing qualification for the 2027 World Cup.
Norway has called for Infantino's resignation as FIFA president, and UEFA continues to threaten a boycott of the next World Cup.
A former Ballon d'Or winner has also criticized Infantino, saying he lied, misled people and sought to enrich himself, and that it was too late for him to save his dignity.
Even after FIFA withdrew the private-investment plan, UEFA kept its World Cup boycott threat in place and continued pushing for Infantino to step down.
Isolated within his own organization, Infantino traveled to Morocco to hold a secret crisis meeting with FIFA members.
The Asian Football Confederation has joined UEFA and Concacaf in opposing FIFA's project.
UEFA has also threatened to boycott the World Cup entirely in protest at Infantino's plan.
