1 week ago
Infantino Campaigns for Re-election Amid FIFA Opposition
Gianni Infantino wants to remain president of FIFA, the organization that runs world soccer.
He says FIFA should help poorer soccer countries grow and receive more resources.
Aleksander Ceferin leads UEFA, which represents European soccer.
Ceferin says he will not run against Infantino, but he expects someone else to do so in the March election.
UEFA and other regional groups opposed Infantino’s plan to create a new business body for FIFA tournament rights.
That proposal was later abandoned.
Infantino has support from African and South American soccer groups, while six Nordic members want him to resign.
The disagreement is about how FIFA should be governed and how money and opportunities should be distributed.
Gianni Infantino is seeking another FIFA presidency term by promising greater support for poorer football associations.
Aleksander Ceferin says he will not challenge Infantino but expects an opposition candidate to enter the March election.
UEFA, AFC and CONCACAF opposed Infantino’s abandoned proposal to sell 20% of FIFA tournament-rights revenues to private investors.
Infantino has support from African and South American football blocs, while six Nordic members have called for his resignation.
Ceferin says opposition to Infantino’s plans includes smaller European associations and rejects claims that Europe blocks aid to poorer nations.
- Who
- FIFA President Gianni Infantino and UEFA President Aleksander Ceferin are the central figures, alongside FIFA member associations and regional football confederations.
- What
- Infantino is campaigning for re-election while facing criticism and the possibility of an opposition candidate in the March FIFA election.
- Where
- The dispute concerns FIFA globally; Infantino discussed his platform after meeting the Caribbean Football Union in the Dominican Republic, while the Nordic members met in Helsinki.
- When
- The election is scheduled for March; the reports also describe developments from the preceding weekend and recent weeks.
- Why
- Infantino says FIFA must narrow the gap between wealthy and poorer associations, while opponents object to his leadership and abandoned commercial proposal.
Infantino and Supporters
UEFA-Led Critics
FIFA’s priorities
Infantino and Supporters
Infantino says FIFA should invest in poorer associations, create opportunities and narrow the gap between wealthy and less affluent football nations.
UEFA-Led Critics
Ceferin rejects the portrayal of UEFA as an entitled elite obstructing aid and says opposition includes smaller European associations such as San Marino, Cyprus and Liechtenstein.
Commercial governance
Infantino and Supporters
Infantino presented the proposed commercial body as part of FIFA’s efforts to manage tournament rights, although the plan has been abandoned.
UEFA-Led Critics
UEFA, AFC and CONCACAF opposed the proposal, with Ceferin describing it as a greater threat to football than UEFA’s 2021 European Super League dispute.
Infantino’s leadership
Infantino and Supporters
Infantino is continuing his campaign and has appealed directly to individual member associations, with support from African and South American regional blocs.
UEFA-Led Critics
Ceferin says Infantino should consider stepping down, and six Nordic FIFA members have issued a joint call for his resignation; a possible opposition candidate may run in March.
Key facts
- Election
- The FIFA presidential election is scheduled for March.
- Incumbent
- Gianni Infantino has been FIFA president since 2016.
- Infantino’s platform
- He says FIFA should provide opportunities, access and resources to all 211 member associations.
- Abandoned proposal
- Infantino proposed creating a commercial body for FIFA tournament rights and selling 20% to private investors.
- Opposition groups
- UEFA has been backed by the Asian Football Confederation and CONCACAF in opposing the proposal.
- Nordic statement
- Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway, Sweden and the Faroe Islands backed calls for Infantino’s resignation.
- Regional support
- Infantino has support from African and South American regional football blocs.
Quotes
Aleksander Ceferin
UEFA president discussing Infantino’s options and a possible opposition candidate
“There are two options. One option is that he realises that he doesn't have the support, and that's not only a political support of the ones who vote, but the political support of football community, the political support of fans, the political support of the players, former players, coaches. And the second option that he goes to the elections in March, but in that case, I think he will have a candidate against him. I don't know yet who.”
rediff.com
“We want to grow football in every one of our 211 countries in the world. We need to find investments for all the others -- opportunities for all the others. This is about, indeed, finding and giving opportunities, access, and resources to world football.”
rediff.com
Sources
Related news
Ceferin Rejects FIFA Bid, Warns Infantino Faces Election Challenge
Infantino faces mounting pressure as UEFA maintains boycott threat
Samuel Eto'o Backs Infantino Amid FIFA World Cup Plan Backlash
FIFA Crisis Eases As UEFA May Drop World Cup Boycott
FIFA Defends Infantino Amid Criticism Over Commercial Rights Plan
Premier League Big Six Make Record Transfer Window Investments
Italy’s new far-right party overtakes Forza Italia in polls
Josh Kushner Regrets Involvement in Aborted FIFA World Cup Deal
Meloni’s Record Italian Government Faces an Uncertain Political Future
Dutch Football Federation Withdraws Support for Gianni Infantino
