FIFA Shakes Up amid Campaign to Unseat Infantino

Sun Sep 06 2026 04:16:49 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time)

FIFA denounces a concerted effort to oust President Gianni Infantino amid accusations of corruption and approval of a controversial forward enterprise plan.

FIFA issued a sharp statement vowing to defend President Gianni Infantino against a coordinated effort to undermine the organisation. The backlash follows a newspaper report that Infantino’s former lover received a severance payment from UEFA while he was a general secretary. Several European football bodies, including UEFA and the Norwegian Federation, have called for Infantino’s resignation or threatened to boycott FIFA events if the Forward Enterprise proposal is revived. In contrast, the Mexican Football Federation, CONMEBOL and CAF have shown solidarity with the president, insisting that a fair vote among all 211 member associations is necessary to remove him. FIFA stresses that criticism must be factual, not distorted, and that the president’s democratic mandate remains intact.

FIFA’s stern rebuttal to the campaign for Infantino’s resignation

FIFA’s hierarchy has issued a forceful statement condemning what it calls a "concerted and ongoing effort" to undermine its integrity and its elected president, Gianni Infantino. The statement follows a recent investigation by the Daily Telegraph alleging that Infantino’s ex‑lover was granted a severance package from UEFA during his tenure as the organisation’s general secretary.

Infantino, as well as his secretary‑general Mattias Grafstrom, categorically denies these claims, calling them unfounded. FIFA stresses that allegations should be substantiated and factual, warning against turning speculation into misinformation.

Pressure from UEFA and several European football associations has been mounting, especially over the proposed FIFA Forward Enterprise (FFE). The FFE would have established a new entity to manage commercial and ticketing rights, with 21% ownership transferred to a private investment group. Both UEFA and the Norwegian Football Federation president Lise Klaveness have urged Infantino to resign, while UEFA has openly expressed loss of confidence in him.

Against the backdrop of European opposition, a handful of non‑European federations have openly backed the president. The Mexican Football Federation has split with CONCACAF to support Infantino, and both CONMEBOL and the Confederation of African Football have abandoned any attempt to remove him outside of a vote by all 211 member nations.

FIFA’s latest communique reaffirmed that Infantino remains the democratically elected leader of the organisation, honouring the mandate granted by member associations. It also warned that attempts to undermine the president's mandate must be rooted in transparent, democratic processes and not in distortion or unverified claims.

The call for resignation has highlighted the fragility of football governance, with potential impacts on FIFA’s future initiatives and the international football calendar. As the situation unfolds, stakeholders are closely watching for any shift in support or new developments in the Forward Enterprise debate.