The International Association Football Federation (FIFA) denounced on Saturday a concerted and continuous effort by some to weaken the organization and its president, Gianni Infantino. The statement comes as the 56-year-old Italo-Swiss leader faces accusations of favoritism.
In a statement, FIFA indicated that recently published information contained unsubstantiated claims and manifestly false allegations concerning the organization and Infantino. FIFA said speculation and insinuation should not be presented as facts, adding that repeating an allegation does not make it true. The organization did not specify which allegations it was referring to.
According to a report published on Friday night by British newspaper The Telegraph, Infantino used his power to ensure the promotion of an employee with whom he had an intimate relationship. Infantino served as secretary general of European football confederation UEFA from 2009 to 2016.
When contacted by Agence France-Presse, UEFA admitted that a payment was made at that time alongside funding for an MBA at a local business school. However, UEFA stressed that the payment complied with the rules in force at the time for staff leaving the organization.
FIFA stated in its release that it welcomes any legitimate critical analysis. However, FIFA said such analysis cannot authorize distorting facts, amplifying unsubstantiated allegations, or artificially creating distractions intended to halt progress achieved.
Investor plan backlash and election crisis
Infantino, who plans to run for re-election to the FIFA leadership in March 2027, has been embroiled in a crisis since late July. The turmoil began after the disclosure of his controversial project to open FIFA to private investors, a plan that was later abandoned.
UEFA maintained its threat on Thursday to boycott World Cup tournaments, considering the withdrawal of the proposal insufficient. On Friday, Norwegian Football Federation president Lise Klaveness called for Infantino's resignation, extending years of criticism from the Norwegian governing body.
Addressing the upcoming presidential race, FIFA affirmed on Saturday that it will not support, facilitate, or tolerate any election process contrary to its statutes, democratic procedures, or governance framework.
Abandoned commercial project and opposition
On July 28, Infantino defended the creation of FIFA Forward Enterprise, a fully owned subsidiary intended to consolidate commercial rights. Under the proposal, FIFA planned to sell minority stakes to private investors without granting them an operational role in the subsidiary, which was initially valued at 20 billion dollars, or 17.2 billion euros.
The proposal met with widespread opposition across football. On Saturday, August 1, Infantino backed down and admitted that the project would not serve its initial objective.
The Portuguese Football Federation joined other UEFA members in opposing the sale of World Cup stakes to private investors. Their stance was detailed in a letter accessed by news agency Lusa.
