Gianni Infantino faces pressure as Europe alone cannot oust FIFA chief

The FIFA president, Gianni Infantino, faces a storm of criticism, particularly from Europe, following a proposal to allow private investors a stake in FIFA's most valuable assets. Although Infantino has since retracted the plan, the European football confederation, UEFA, has responded with unusually strong language, calling for his resignation.

UEFA has also threatened legal action against Infantino in a six-page letter, seeking to secure documents and electronic information concerning the privatization project. This move highlights a stark contrast with Infantino's 2016 election promises of transparency. Critics argue he now acts as if he is above all.

The wealthy UEFA sees an opportunity to challenge the equally wealthy FIFA under Infantino's leadership. UEFA aims to leverage the situation to unseat Infantino, a former employee. While UEFA expresses outrage, the Confederation of African Football (CAF) has adopted a more measured approach, seeking consultation and supporting increased financial resources for football development. Similarly, CONMEBOL, the South American football confederation, has requested further information, stating that "football always comes first."

It remains uncertain whether these developments pose a significant threat to Infantino, who seeks re-election until 2031 at the FIFA Congress scheduled for March 2027 in Rabat, Morocco. The tenures of his predecessors, João Havelange, Sepp Blatter, and Infantino himself, have demonstrated that European influence alone may not be enough to topple a FIFA president.

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The football always comes first.