Pressure is mounting on FIFA President Gianni Infantino after the French Football Federation withdrew its support for his re-election. The Infantino FIFA crisis has gained global attention as UEFA intensified its legal battle over his abandoned commercial rights plan.
According to Reuters, FFF President Philippe Diallo said the federation’s executive committee unanimously agreed to withdraw its backing for Infantino. This comes ahead of FIFA’s presidential election in March 2027 and reflects ongoing concerns about the Infantino FIFA crisis within the football community.
Diallo said confidence in the FIFA president had been damaged by recent decisions. In addition, there were concerns surrounding the governance of world football. Notably, the Infantino FIFA crisis has raised questions about trust and accountability at the highest level.
“The trust placed in the FIFA president has been broken,” Diallo said.
France had initially backed Infantino’s candidacy in June. However, it reconsidered its position following controversy surrounding his proposal to sell a stake in FIFA competitions, including the World Cup, to private investors.
French FA questions FIFA governance
Diallo said the FFF no longer believed the current FIFA leadership could deliver the level of governance reform and transparency it wanted. The ongoing Infantino FIFA crisis has only intensified those doubts.
He argued that recent developments had damaged football’s image, weakened unity within the sport and undermined some of its fundamental values.
France, a founding member of FIFA, joins several European federations that have withdrawn support for Infantino.
UEFA, the Asian Football Confederation and CONCACAF have also called for changes in FIFA’s leadership and governance.
UEFA takes legal fight to US court
The pressure intensified on Thursday when UEFA urged a Manhattan federal court to reject an attempt by two FIFA subsidiaries to intervene in its effort to obtain evidence. This evidence is for a potential criminal complaint in Switzerland.
UEFA is seeking documents and testimony from investment firm Thrive Capital Management and its founder Joshua Kushner. This regards the proposed FIFA Forward Enterprise transaction.
Infantino abandoned the project on August 1 following opposition from football bodies and other critics.
The proposed arrangement would have involved private investors acquiring a permanent stake in commercial and operational rights linked to the World Cup and other FIFA competitions.
UEFA considers Swiss criminal complaint
UEFA has said it is considering filing a criminal complaint in Switzerland. This complaint alleges possible criminal mismanagement involving Infantino and potentially other FIFA officials. Moreover, the developments add to the uncertainty of the Infantino FIFA crisis as European football seeks greater transparency.
Infantino and FIFA have not been charged with any offence, and the FIFA president has denied wrongdoing.
FIFA has accused UEFA of carrying out a “smear campaign” and described its attempts to obtain documents as a fishing expedition.
UEFA, however, argues that FIFA’s American subsidiaries have no direct legal interest in the New York proceedings. Therefore, they should not be allowed to delay its application.
The court has yet to rule on either UEFA’s request for evidence or the subsidiaries’ attempt to intervene.
Despite the growing opposition in Europe, Infantino continues to enjoy support from several football associations. These include blocs in Africa and South America, ahead of the March 2027 election.
