DistantNews
Support us
🇻🇪 Venezuela /Sports

FIFA VP Csanyi withdraws support from President Infantino

From El Nacional · () Spanish

Translated from Spanish, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources Context piece
  • FIFA Council Vice President Sandor Csanyi has withdrawn his support for FIFA President Gianni Infantino.
  • Csanyi cited "political interests" and a lack of transparency regarding private investment plans as reasons for his decision.
  • The withdrawal creates a significant rift in FIFA's leadership and impacts Infantino's re-election prospects for March 2027.

A significant rift has emerged within FIFA's leadership as Sandor Csanyi, the Vice President of the FIFA Council and President of the Hungarian Football Federation, announced he is formally withdrawing his support for FIFA President Gianni Infantino. Csanyi conveyed his decision in a letter to Infantino, stating he has "lost the confidence previously placed" in the president's ability to lead the organization effectively.

lost the confidence previously placed

— Sandor CsanyiStated in a letter to Gianni Infantino explaining his withdrawal of support.

Csanyi cited several concerns, including decisions that he believes serve political interests over those of football, particularly referencing events during the 2026 World Cup held in North America. He also expressed strong criticism regarding a plan to open FIFA to private investors, which he claims was conducted "in secret, without informing the Council."

decisions that serve political interests more than those of football

— Sandor CsanyiCited as a reason for withdrawing support, particularly concerning events during the 2026 World Cup.

Adding to the tension, Csanyi pointed to the recent dismissal of Kevin Lamour, a high-ranking FIFA official, as "the last straw." Lamour had been vocal in his opposition to Infantino's financial plans, stating the project "should never see the light of day" and that it was time for "correct decisions" to be made.

in secret, without informing the Council

— Sandor CsanyiCriticism regarding FIFA's plan to open up to private investors.

Lamour, who held the position of Director General of Operations, oversaw crucial areas such as legal affairs, communication, and personnel. His departure, following his public criticism of Infantino's financial strategy, appears to have been a catalyst for Csanyi's decisive action. This distancing by Csanyi signals a notable fracture within FIFA's executive ranks and complicates Infantino's political landscape ahead of his presidential re-election, scheduled for March 2027.

the last straw

— Sandor CsanyiReferring to the dismissal of Kevin Lamour as a key factor in his decision.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by El Nacional in Spanish. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

More Stories

From Our Blog