FIFA defends Infantino: "Coordinated effort to undermine the president"
In an unusual official statement, the organization attacked claims and publications against its president and clarified that it will not agree to any move that does not comply with the statutes: "Repeating a claim does not make it true."
FIFA published an unusual official statement last night (between Saturday and Sunday) in which it came to the defense of the organization's president, Gianni Infantino, and claimed that a "coordinated and ongoing effort" is being conducted by certain parties with the aim of undermining FIFA and its president.
In the statement, which was published following declarations by CONMEBOL and CAF and conversations with associations and confederations from around the world, FIFA clarified that it will not support, assist, or tolerate any procedure regarding the election of the organization's president that does not align with the statutes, democratic procedures, and its existing governance framework.
"The FIFA president was democratically elected by the FIFA member associations and continues to serve by virtue of their mandate. It is becoming increasingly clear that there is a coordinated and ongoing effort by certain parties to undermine FIFA and its president. Those who do not enjoy the support of the FIFA member associations should not try to achieve through accusations, insinuations, or misinformation what they cannot achieve through FIFA's existing democratic procedures."
In the organization, they also referred to recent publications regarding FIFA and Infantino and claimed that they included unfounded allegations and even some that, according to them, can be proven to be false. "Speculation and insinuations should not be presented as facts, and repeating a claim does not make it true," it was stated.
FIFA added that Infantino has dedicated more than 30 years of his professional life to European and world football, and that he has been a partner in significant changes in the game, and in particular to the expansion of access, resources, and opportunities in football around the world. "Change inevitably challenges existing interests, but disagreement regarding change cannot justify attempts to undermine the democratic mandate of the FIFA president or the organization he was elected to lead."
It was further stated:
"FIFA accepts legitimate criticism. But criticism is not a license to distort facts, amplify unfounded claims, or create distractions intended to undermine progress. When reports are inaccurate or misleading, FIFA will address them directly and firmly."
In conclusion, FIFA emphasized that its responsibility is to the 211 member associations of the organization and to football around the world, and that it will not allow disputes to divert it from continuing its activities.
Infantino, who has served as FIFA president since 2016, has already announced that he will run for the position once again in the 2027 elections. On April 30, he announced this to the 211 member associations of the organization at the FIFA Congress in Vancouver.
