FIFA defends Infantino’s leadership amid UEFA backlash

FIFA has launched a strong defence of President Gianni Infantino, accusing his critics of mounting plots to undermine his leadership as tensions with UEFA continue to escalate.

The world governing body stated on Saturday as Infantino faces growing opposition following the collapse of his controversial proposal to create a new commercial entity to manage FIFA’s World Cup interests and sell a minority stake to private investors.

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The plan triggered a backlash from UEFA and football authorities in other regions, adding to wider concerns over FIFA’s governance and Infantino’s leadership.

FIFA backs Infantino’s mandate

FIFA said Infantino continues to enjoy the democratic mandate of the organisation’s 211 member associations and warned against attempts to remove him outside established procedures.

“The FIFA president was democratically elected by FIFA’s Member Associations and continues to serve with their mandate,” the governing body said.

“It is increasingly evident that there is a concerted and ongoing effort by some to undermine FIFA and its president.”

FIFA argued that those seeking to challenge Infantino should do so through the organisation’s established democratic processes rather than through public allegations.

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“Those who do not have the support of FIFA’s member associations should not seek to achieve through allegation, insinuation or misinformation what they cannot achieve through FIFA’s established democratic processes,” it added.

The statement also accused some reports of containing “unsubstantiated assertions and demonstrably false claims”, insisting that speculation should not be presented as a fact.

Infantino under pressure from Europe

Infantino’s position has come under increasing pressure, particularly from European football authorities, following the controversy surrounding the abandoned FIFA Forward Enterprise proposal.

UEFA has said it has lost confidence in the FIFA president and maintained its threat to boycott FIFA competitions unless its concerns are addressed.

Norwegian Football Federation president Lise Klaveness has gone further, calling for Infantino to resign.

The dispute has widened the divide between UEFA and FIFA, with European associations questioning the governance processes surrounding the commercial proposal and demanding guarantees that similar plans will not be revived.

FIFA, however, has maintained that the criticism should not be allowed to undermine Infantino’s elected mandate.

“Change inevitably challenges established interests,” FIFA said, “but disagreement with that change cannot justify efforts to undermine the democratic mandate of FIFA’s president or the institution he was elected to lead.”

FIFA rejects allegations against Infantino

The FIFA statement also followed a report by British newspaper The Daily Telegraph concerning an exit payment made by UEFA to a female staff member who worked with Infantino during his 16-year tenure at European football’s governing body.

UEFA confirmed that a “departure payment” was made to the employee and said it was consistent with the regulations in force at the time.

Infantino served as UEFA general secretary before being elected FIFA president in 2016.

FIFA did not accept the wider implications raised by the report, instead accusing critics of using allegations and insinuations as part of a broader campaign against Infantino.

The governing body said such claims should not be treated as facts without sufficient evidence.

Battle over FIFA’s future

The latest defence highlights the growing battle over the direction and governance of world football.

While UEFA and several European associations have questioned Infantino’s leadership, he continues to receive support from several influential football confederations and national associations.

The controversy surrounding the FIFA Forward Enterprise proposal has therefore evolved into a broader dispute over FIFA’s governance, commercial ambitions and the authority of its president.

With UEFA maintaining its opposition and FIFA firmly backing Infantino, the conflict is likely to remain one of the biggest governance challenges facing world football ahead of the next FIFA presidential election.