The French Football Federation (FFF) unanimously withdrew its support for Gianni Infantino and his bid for reelection as FIFA president, amid strong criticism of his recent governance initiatives.
Another blow for Infantino
The decision was made on Thursday by the FFF’s executive committee, which determined that the necessary conditions no longer exist to maintain the support it had initially expressed for the leader.
“A series of events directly involving FIFA’s governance and its president—and which directly conflict with the fundamental principles of good governance and the values of soccer—occurred after the FFF expressed its support on June 29,” the French federation stated.
Why have the France Football Federation withdrawn their support?
Among the reasons cited is the controversial plan to sell stakes in the World Cup to private equity funds for $4.2 billion. The proposal was withdrawn by FIFA on August 1, just a few days after it was made public and following an intense backlash.
Although the plan was definitively abandoned, the FFF believes that the underlying problem remains.
“Today, although this plan has been definitively abandoned thanks to a concerted response within UEFA along with several other confederations, the issue of FIFA’s governance cannot be considered resolved,” the federation stated.
The FFF also maintained that Infantino’s recent initiatives have “seriously damaged the image and unity of soccer.”
UEFA has led the criticism against the FIFA president, stating that it has lost confidence in him and having previously threatened to boycott the organization’s tournaments, including the World Cup. In addition, several national associations, including England, also withdrew their support for Infantino’s reelection.
FIFA reported on Sunday that Gianni Infantino plans to run for the presidency again in the elections scheduled for March, with the intention of serving a final term that would extend through 2031.
In light of this situation, the French Football Federation announced that it will push for a sweeping reform of FIFA’s governance and begin consultations with prominent French and international figures.
The goal, according to the FFF, will be to foster collective reflection and develop proposals that will restore trust, strengthen transparency, and ensure the independence and exemplary conduct of world soccer’s governing body.
