FIFA Blasts Allegations, Back Gianni Infantino Amid Mounting Pressure to Resign

Sun Sep 06 2026 03:23:46 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time)

FIFA publicly condemns a campaign aimed at ousting its president, Gianni Infantino, calling claims baseless while pressure mounts over a stalled commercial plan.

FIFA accused a coordinated effort to unseat President Gianni Infantino of being a misinformation campaign, replying to a Daily Telegraph report that alleged Infantino’s former partner received a severance from UEFA. Infantino denies the claims outright, and the football body’s statement calls the accusations unsubstantiated and highlights the democratic mandate that supports him. While UEFA and several European associations have threatened boycotts and urged a resignation, non‑European federations—including Mexico, CONMEBOL, and CAF—have backed Infantino, citing the need to honour votes by all 211 member associations.

FIFA Blasts Allegations, Back Gianni Infantino Amid Mounting Pressure to Resign

FIFA has released a forceful statement condemning what it calls a "concerted and ongoing effort" to undermine its organisation and the presidency of Gianni Infantino. The pressure comes after a Daily Telegraph article alleged that Infantino’s former lover received a severance payment from UEFA while he was the association’s general secretary.

Infantino’s spokesperson said the claims are "categorically untrue" and the president himself has strongly denied the allegations. FIFA said the accusations were "unsubstantiated assertions and demonstrably false claims" and warned that "speculation and insinuation should not be presented as fact."

Stalled Commercial Proposal Sparks European Backlash

At the centre of the controversy is the aborted FIFA Forward Enterprise (FFE) plan, which would have created a new commercial entity and sold a 21% stake to a private investor. UEFA lost confidence in Infantino over this proposal and the Norwegian Football Federation’s president Lise Klaveness publicly demanded his resignation.

UEFA has kept its boycott threat open while awaiting assurances that the FFE plan could not be revived. The European governing body has also warned that the FFE proposal remains a sticking point in negotiations with the Swiss‑Italian president.

International Support for Infantino

Despite the European pressure, many federations outside Europe have rallied behind Infantino. The Mexican Football Federation, breaking ranks with CONCACAF, publicly supported him, saying any attempt to remove him "without a vote involving all 211 FIFA member countries" would be unjust. CONMEBOL echoed this stance and the Confederation of African Football (CAF) also backed Infantino, emphasising the importance of democratic processes.

FIFA’s statement concluded that the president was "democratically elected by FIFA member associations" and "continues to serve with their mandate." The organisation asserted that "any attacks on its integrity, good governance and due process" would no longer be tolerated.

Thus, while UEFA and some European football authorities push for a change in leadership, the worldwide football community is divided, with many non‑European bodies re‑affirming their support for Infantino amid ongoing scrutiny and allegations of misinformation.