2 weeks ago
Fifa urged to block Infantino re-election over three-term limit
Fifa is the group that runs world football.
Its president, Gianni Infantino, wants to run again for the job.
But there is a rule that says a president can only serve three times.
Some people say Infantino has already served three times.
Infantino says his first time should not count because he was finishing someone else's job.
A group called FairSquare says that is not fair and Fifa should stop him.
The vote will happen in Morocco on March 18.
Some football groups in Europe, Asia and North America are unhappy with Infantino.
They also want to look at a plan to create a very big company worth $20 billion.
Other football groups in Africa and South America still support Infantino.
People disagree about whether the rules were followed correctly.
Human rights group FairSquare urged Fifa to rule Gianni Infantino ineligible for another presidential term, saying he has already served the maximum three terms.
Infantino has argued his first term, which began in 2016, should not count because it completed an interrupted mandate following Sepp Blatter's resignation.
The vote on Infantino's re-election for the 2027-31 cycle is scheduled for March 18 at the FIFA Congress in Morocco.
UEFA, the Asian Football Confederation and CONCACAF called for a review of Infantino's conduct after Fifa proposed a $20-billion subsidiary linked to its competitions.
The Scottish Football Association said it would not support Infantino's re-election, while the African and South American confederations back him.
FairSquare also questioned the transparency of the 2022 ruling, noting its reasoning was never made public and was announced two days before the Qatar 2022 World Cup final.
- Who
- Gianni Infantino, Fifa's president, and FairSquare, a human rights organisation that filed a complaint against him.
- What
- A call for Fifa to block Infantino's re-election bid on the grounds that he has already served the maximum three presidential terms.
- Where
- The vote is scheduled to take place in Morocco; the complaint was sent to Fifa's Governance, Audit and Compliance Committee.
- When
- Ahead of the FIFA Congress vote scheduled for March 18, for the 2027-31 cycle.
- Why
- FairSquare argues Infantino's first term should count toward the three-term limit, making him ineligible to run again.
Infantino's supporters
Infantino's critics
Term limit interpretation
Infantino's supporters
Infantino's 2016 first term should not count toward the three-term limit because it completed an interrupted mandate after Sepp Blatter's resignation.
Infantino's critics
FairSquare and former Fifa governance chief Miguel Maduro say the rules clearly allow a maximum of three terms and the 2022 interpretation is a breach that sets a dangerous precedent.
Re-election support
Infantino's supporters
The African and South American confederations back Infantino's continued leadership.
Infantino's critics
UEFA, the Asian Football Confederation, CONCACAF and the Scottish Football Association oppose or refuse to support his re-election.
Transparency of the 2022 ruling
Infantino's supporters
Fifa has not publicly explained the reasoning behind its 2022 decision that Infantino's first term did not count.
Infantino's critics
FairSquare says the lack of published reasoning and the timing of the announcement suggest there was no valid basis to discount the first term.
Key facts
- Subject
- Gianni Infantino's eligibility for re-election as Fifa president
- Complainant
- FairSquare, a human rights organisation
- Term limit
- Three presidential terms maximum under Fifa statutes
- Vote date
- March 18, at the FIFA Congress in Morocco
- Election cycle
- 2027-31
- Proposed subsidiary
- $20-billion Fifa subsidiary linked to competitions including the World Cup
- Supporters
- African and South American confederations
- Opponents
- UEFA, Asian Football Confederation, CONCACAF and Scottish Football Association
Quotes
Nicholas McGeehan
Director of FairSquare, a human rights organization
“"The complaint we have filed provides clear evidence that this is a clear breach of the rules and one that sets a very dangerous precedent"”
telegraphindia.com
Miguel Maduro
Former head of FIFA’s independent Governance and Review Committee
“"The principle of term limits was a fundamental aspect of the 2016 reform aimed at limiting power and the rule introduced is clear: no FIFA President can serve more than three terms of office"”
telegraphindia.com
Sources
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