FIFA president Gianni Infantino has accused UEFA and news media of a smear campaign following allegations of an affair and a tournament boycott.
The football governing body issued a 315-word statement on Saturday evening in response to a turbulent week of governance disputes, insisting that Infantino continues to serve with a democratic mandate from member associations across the world.
European governing body UEFA announced on Thursday that it will continue to boycott FIFA competitions if Infantino remains at the top of world football. The move followed the collapse of Infantino's plans to sell £3.1billion in World Cup stakes to private investors.
Allegations and FIFA response
Infantino has also faced allegations this week that UEFA made a departure payment to a female employee with whom he was allegedly in a relationship while serving as general secretary of the European governing body. UEFA confirmed that a payment was made, but FIFA labelled the relationship claim as categorically untrue.
In its statement, FIFA rejected what it described as a concerted effort to undermine the organisation and its president. Echoing recent statements from South American body CONMEBOL and African body CAF, FIFA stated it will not support, facilitate, or tolerate any election process inconsistent with its statutes, democratic procedures, and governance framework.
"The FIFA President was democratically elected by FIFA’s Member Associations and continues to serve with their mandate," the statement read. "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."
FIFA highlighted Infantino's 30-year career in European and world football, stating that disagreement with change cannot justify efforts to undermine his mandate. The organisation welcomed legitimate scrutiny but warned that where reporting is inaccurate or misleading, FIFA will challenge it directly and vigorously.
Confederation stances and voting support
UEFA currently stands as the sole continental confederation actively boycotting FIFA tournaments, a move described by one source speaking to Daily Mail Sport as the only way to force Infantino out.
The European body remains largely isolated in its opposition, with only CONCACAF, the governing body for North, Central America and the Caribbean, taking a similar stance. That resistance is fractured, however, as Mexico has rallied behind Infantino.
With the endorsement of Africa, Asia, and South America, Infantino retains enough political backing to fight on. FIFA reaffirmed that its primary responsibility is to its 211 Member Associations and to football around the world.
As football governance faces ongoing turbulence, the FIFA president currently appears to have sufficient support to survive a vote of no confidence and secure a fourth term in next March's election.
