FIFA Stands by Infantino as UEFA Opposition Intensifies
FIFA has reaffirmed its support for President Gianni Infantino as tensions with UEFA continue to grow following the controversy surrounding the abandoned FIFA Forward Enterprise (FFE) proposal.
The FFE plan triggered strong opposition from UEFA, which has continued to question Infantino’s leadership even after FIFA withdrew the proposal.
UEFA says it has lost trust and confidence in the FIFA president and has threatened to consider boycotting FIFA competitions, including the men’s and women’s World Cups.
The European governing body’s position contrasts sharply with the backing Infantino continues to receive elsewhere. CAF and CONMEBOL have supported his bid to continue in office, while associations including the Royal Moroccan Football Federation have also expressed their support.
FIFA, in its latest statement, rejected attempts to challenge Infantino outside the organisation’s established democratic and electoral procedures. The governing body stressed that he was “democratically elected by FIFA’s Member Associations” and continues to serve with their mandate.
“FIFA will not support, facilitate or tolerate any process concerning the election of the FIFA President that is inconsistent with FIFA’s Statutes, democratic procedures and established governance framework,” it said.
FIFA Hits Back at Critics
The governing body accused some of Infantino’s opponents of pursuing an ongoing effort to undermine both the president and FIFA, arguing that those without sufficient support among the 211 Member Associations should not seek to achieve through allegations or misinformation what they cannot secure through democratic processes.
FIFA also challenged recent media reports, claiming they contained unsubstantiated assertions and false claims. “Speculation and insinuation should not be presented as fact, and repetition does not make an allegation true,” the organisation stated.
The governing body defended Infantino’s record, pointing to his more than 30 years in European and world football and his contribution to expanding access, resources and opportunities across the game.
It acknowledged that change can challenge established interests but said disagreement cannot justify efforts to undermine his mandate.
FIFA said it welcomes legitimate scrutiny but warned against what it described as distorted reporting and unsupported allegations. It promised that where coverage is inaccurate or misleading, it will challenge it “directly and vigorously.”
The organisation insisted that the dispute would not distract it from its wider responsibilities. “We will not be distracted or diverted from strengthening the organisation, delivering for our Member Associations and continuing the work of making football truly global,” FIFA said.
With UEFA maintaining its opposition despite the FFE proposal being abandoned, while CAF, CONMEBOL and several national associations continue to back Infantino, the dispute has evolved into a wider battle over the future direction and governance of world football.