In brief
Foiled by a flurry of accusations, FIFA has issued a firm statement defending President Gianni Infantino against a campaign that some European associations claim seeks to oust him. A recent Telegraph story alleged a former lover received a severance from UEFA, allegations Infantino denies. FIFA says it will not tolerate unsubstantiated claims and stresses the need for a democratic vote before any removal. UEFA and Norway call for Infantino’s resignation over the abandoned Forward Enterprise proposal, while Mexico, CONMEBOL and CAF remain supportive. Infantino convened a board meeting in Morocco urging stronger enforcement of integrity.
FIFA released a statement on Saturday describing a wave of misinformation as an elaborate attempt to undermine the organisation and its president, Gianni Infantino.
The statement followed a recent Telegraph story that alleged Infantino’s "alleged lover" received a severance package from UEFA while he was general‑secretary. Infantino rejects the claims, calling them "categorically untrue".
FIFA said it would no longer tolerate "unsubstantiated assertions and demonstrably false claims" and warned that "scrutiny is not a licence to distort facts". The governing body emphasised that any removal of the president must occur through a democratic vote of all 211 member associations.
Both UEFA and the Norway Football Federation have expressed doubts over Infantino’s leadership, citing the aborted Fifa Forward Enterprise (FFE) proposal that would have transferred 21 % of commercial rights to a private investor. The case has led to a threat from European authorities to boycott FIFA events.
Contrasting the European stance, Mexico, CONMEBOL and CAF have publicly backed Infantino and rejected any attempt to force his resignation without a full‑federation vote. These federations insist that only a unanimous decision can alter FIFA’s governance.
On Wednesday Infantino called a meeting with FIFA board members at a hotel in Rabat, Morocco, saying that "any attacks on integrity" would no longer be tolerated. He reaffirmed the organisation’s commitment to legitimate scrutiny while warning that inaccurate reporting would be challenged directly and vigorously.
