French Football Federation Reassesses Support for Infantino
On September 10, 2026, the French Football Federation (FFF) officially announced its decision to withdraw support for Gianni Infantino in his quest for re-election as FIFA president, a move that highlights growing discontent within the football community regarding Infantino's leadership. FFF President Philippe Diallo conveyed this decision, asserting that the trust previously placed in the FIFA president has been irreparably damaged. This stance was reached unanimously by the FFF's executive committee, indicating a significant shift in sentiment among key stakeholders in international football.
Diallo emphasized that the operational approach of FIFA under Infantino no longer aligns with the expectations and visions held by the French Football Federation. He remarked, "The way in which we envisage the running of world football no longer corresponds with the way it is being conducted." This statement underscores the disillusionment that many federations are experiencing as they navigate the complexities of global football governance.
Infantino, who is actively campaigning for another term amidst a backdrop of criticism, faced backlash particularly following his controversial proposal to sell a 20% stake in FIFA competitions, including the World Cup, to private investors. This initiative was abandoned in July after intense opposition arose from various regional football confederations, further fueling doubts about his leadership capabilities.
Initially, the FFF had expressed support for Infantino's candidacy in late June when he was the sole candidate in the race. However, Diallo noted that subsequent developments had fundamentally altered the landscape, stating, "The conditions for our support for his candidacy were no longer there." The proposed stake sale, which was introduced without adequate consultation or information sharing with federations, raised serious concerns about the governance and decision-making practices within FIFA.
In the wake of the FFF's announcement, several other European federations, including those from England and Italy, have also retracted their support for Infantino. Organizations such as UEFA, the Asian Football Confederation, and CONCACAF from North America are now calling for a change in leadership at FIFA, as they seek a credible alternative to steer the organization in a direction that aligns with their vision for the future of football.
As reported by thestar.com.my.
