1 week ago
FIFA Regional Powerhouses Weigh No-Confidence Vote Against Infantino
Some major football groups are thinking about trying to remove FIFA President Gianni Infantino.
UEFA, the AFC and CONCACAF are upset about a plan to sell investors part of the business connected to World Cup rights.
They say the plan was handled without enough openness or consultation.
The plan collapsed before the sale happened.
FIFA apologized for mistakes in handling it.
Infantino still has support from Africa’s football confederation and several Arab football associations.
No other presidential candidate has publicly appeared before the November 18 deadline.
European clubs may also refuse to play in future Club World Cups if their concerns are not addressed.
However, an unsuccessful challenge could make Infantino look stronger.
UEFA, the AFC and CONCACAF are discussing a possible no-confidence vote against FIFA President Gianni Infantino.
The dispute follows Infantino’s failed proposal to sell private investors a minority stake in World Cup commercial rights.
The three confederations accuse FIFA leadership of failures in transparency, consultation and governance.
Infantino retains support from CAF and six Arab football associations, while no public challenger has emerged before November 18.
European Football Clubs, representing more than 800 clubs, has warned of possible future Club World Cup nonparticipation.
- Who
- FIFA President Gianni Infantino faces possible opposition from UEFA, the AFC and CONCACAF, while retaining support from CAF and other member associations.
- What
- The three confederations are considering a no-confidence vote after the collapse of a proposal to sell private investors a minority stake in a FIFA commercial entity controlling World Cup rights.
- Where
- The dispute involves FIFA and its 211 member associations, with regional confederations and European clubs also involved.
- When
- The discussions were reported on August 20; the nomination deadline is November 18, and the scheduled FIFA presidential Congress is in March 2027.
- Why
- Opponents cite alleged failures of transparency, consultation and governance in the handling of the proposed private investment.
Infantino’s Opponents
Infantino’s Supporters
Leadership and governance
Infantino’s Opponents
UEFA, the AFC and CONCACAF say FIFA leadership committed a fundamental breach of trust and failed in transparency, consultation and governance.
Infantino’s Supporters
FIFA apologized to member associations for mistakes in handling the investment proposal and said any presidential process must follow its statutes, democratic procedures and governance framework.
Infantino’s future
Infantino’s Opponents
Sources say the three confederations favor considering a no-confidence vote and that Infantino should either step aside or face a more difficult removal process.
Infantino’s Supporters
Infantino intends to seek reelection, while CAF President Patrice Motsepe said his future should be decided by FIFA members through an election.
Commercial investment
Infantino’s Opponents
The three confederations opposed selling a minority stake in a FIFA commercial entity controlling World Cup rights and criticized the proposal’s handling.
Infantino’s Supporters
Supporters of the abandoned proposal said it could have given associations up to $20 million each for infrastructure, coaching, national teams, competitions, grassroots football and women’s football.
Club participation
Infantino’s Opponents
European Football Clubs may refuse to participate in future men’s and women’s Club World Cups unless FIFA addresses governance and club-relations concerns.
Infantino’s Supporters
Clubs have no FIFA vote, and no FIFA sponsor has publicly criticized Infantino over the crisis.
Key facts
- Potential challengers
- UEFA, the AFC and CONCACAF are reportedly considering a no-confidence challenge.
- FIFA membership
- FIFA has 211 member associations, with each attending association holding one vote at an Extraordinary Congress.
- Congress procedure
- The FIFA Council must call an Extraordinary Congress if at least one-fifth of member associations submit a written request specifying agenda items.
- Statutory gap
- FIFA’s statutes contain no specific provision governing a no-confidence vote against its president.
- Abandoned proposal
- The plan involved selling private investors a minority stake in a commercial entity that would control World Cup rights.
- Potential funding
- The proposal could have provided associations with up to $20 million in one-off capital for football-related programs.
- Club pressure
- European Football Clubs represents more than 800 clubs and has warned of possible future Club World Cup nonparticipation.
Quotes
Senior figure familiar with discussions
Confidential senior figure commenting on the irreversibility of damage
“"There is no way out," one source said, speaking on condition of anonymity because of the sensitivity of the discussions. "Either he goes the peaceful way and decides not to stand in March or he goes the hard way."”
rediff.com
telegraphindia.com
theprint.in
deccanchronicle.com
theprint.in
“"You can’t put the ketchup back in the bottle."”
telegraphindia.com
Michael Payne
Former IOC marketing chief and commentator on FIFA governance
“"It’s all very well to sneak through with a 51 per cent majority with many of the tiny nations but all of the football superpowers against you. How do you run the organisation?"”
rediff.com
telegraphindia.com
theprint.in
deccanchronicle.com
theprint.in
“"Staff have been ‘deceived’ over what I described as the project of one person."”
theprint.in
Fleetwood Haiya
President of the Football Association of Malawi
“"Those who are ready to fight Infantino at the ballot box should come out into the open."”
theprint.in
Sources
'There is no way out': Infantino faces FIFA revolt
Football powerhouses consider no-confidence vote against Fifa chief Infantino amid governance row
Soccer-Regional powerhouses weigh no-confidence vote in bid to oust Infantino – sources
Regional Powerhouses Weigh No-Confidence Vote in Bid To Oust Infantino: Report
Exclusive-Soccer-Regional powerhouses weigh no-confidence vote in bid to oust Infantino – sources
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