FIFA president Infantino to stand for re-election

Gianni Infantino will seek a fourth term as FIFA president in March, the football governing body has confirmed, despite continuing pressure over his abandoned plan to sell stakes in FIFA competitions to private investment firms.

FIFA said Infantino had announced in April that he would stand for re-election in 2027 and that “nothing has changed.” It was the first time the organization had reaffirmed his candidacy since the dispute surrounding the plan intensified after the summer’s World Cup.

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The Fifa president announced in April that he will stand for re-election in 2027.

The proposal triggered a global outcry. UEFA threatened to boycott all FIFA competitions, including the World Cup, and later filed legal papers in the United States seeking the disclosure of evidence and documents from FIFA. UEFA also warned that it could lodge a criminal complaint in Switzerland.

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Of course, nothing has changed. Mr Infantino will be standing for re-election.

FIFA has accused UEFA of conducting a “smear campaign against it and its leadership” in response to the legal challenge. BBC Sport understands that UEFA believes it can find a candidate to oppose Infantino, but any nominee must secure the backing of at least 106 of FIFA’s 211 member associations.

UEFA has abandoned the idea of seeking a vote of no confidence because changing FIFA’s statutes would require 159 votes, or three-quarters of the membership. No challenger has been announced, although Concacaf president Victor Montagliani is considered a serious possibility. Nominations must be submitted by 18 November.

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Smear campaign against it and its leadership.