Despite criticism, FIFA president Infantino will seek re-election

Gianni Infantino will seek another term as FIFA president in 2027, despite the pressure that has placed his leadership in its deepest crisis yet. FIFA confirmed that nothing had changed since Infantino announced his intention to run in April.

Infantino had avoided a direct answer about his future before the opening of the U20 Women’s World Cup in Poland. Asked whether he would definitely stand, he left the media gathering with a smile and raised his thumb. At the opening match in Katowice, where Poland beat Argentina 3-0, he said there would be a time and place to say more. The statement confirming his candidacy came the following day.

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The FIFA president announced in April that he will run for re-election in 2027. Of course, nothing has changed.

The FIFA president has faced intense criticism over plans to bring private investors into future World Cup business. Those plans have since been withdrawn, but the controversy has not gone away. UEFA wants to prevent Infantino’s re-election at the FIFA Congress next March. UEFA President Aleksander Čeferin is regarded as one of Infantino’s strongest critics, although he has said he will not challenge the 56-year-old himself.

The deadline for candidacies is November 18. Infantino has held the FIFA presidency since 2016.

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There will be a lot to say, but there will be the right place and the right time for it.

UEFA is preparing criminal proceedings over the investor deal on suspicion of breach of trust in business management. The allegation concerns a person entrusted with managing another party’s assets or affairs violating those duties and causing financial damage. No indictment has been filed. Infantino insists he did not break the law.

FIFA has, in turn, involved U.S. authorities and accused the Europeans of conducting a “defamation campaign.”

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defamation campaign