FIFA launch scathing attack on 'concerted effort' to 'undermine' Gianni Infantino as strong statement issued

FIFA has issued a strongly worded statement accusing the media of a “concerted and ongoing effort” to “undermine” the organisation and Gianni Infantino.

Global football’s governing body and its president have come under fire in recent weeks after it proposed selling off shares in its tournaments, including the World Cup, to private investors.

The proposal, which has since been withdrawn, was condemned globally, with the FA and UEFA voicing their opposition to the FIFA Forward Enterprise (FFE), while calling for a review of FIFA’s leadership.

UEFA has reportedly lost all faith in Infantino, with the Norwegian Football Association calling for his resignation.

European football’s governing body also threatened to boycott FIFA tournaments, a threat which remains a possibility despite FIFA’s U-turn on FFE.

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However, the Mexico Football Federation continues to support Infantino, with CONMEBOL – South America’s governing body – making clear it would reject any attempt to remove Infantino from his post as FIFA President without a vote involving all 211 member associations.

All 54 nations under the Confederation of African Football (CAF) are also backing the Swiss Italian.

Meanwhile, on Friday (August 7), British newspaper The Telegraph published a report alleging Infantino had an affair with an employee during his time as UEFA general secretary, claiming the organisation made a severance payment to the woman.

FIFA issues strong statement defending Gianni Infantino

In a statement, FIFA made clear Infantino “strongly denies” the allegations, claiming they are “categorically untrue”.

Then, late on Saturday evening (August 8), FIFA issued a lengthy statement hitting out at “unsubstantiated assertions and demonstrably false claims”, claiming that “speculation and insinuation should not be presented as fact”.

FIFA’s statement read: “It is increasingly evident that there is a concerted and ongoing effort by some to undermine FIFA and its President. Those who do not have the support of FIFA’s Member Associations should not seek to achieve through allegation, insinuation or misinformation what they cannot achieve through FIFA’s established democratic processes. “Recent reporting has included unsubstantiated assertions and demonstrably false claims concerning FIFA and its President. Speculation and insinuation should not be presented as fact, and repetition does not make an allegation true.

“The FIFA President has dedicated more than 30 years of his professional life to European and world football, contributing to significant change in the game and, in particular, to broadening access, resources and opportunity across world football. Change inevitably challenges established interests, but disagreement with that change cannot justify efforts to undermine the democratic mandate of FIFA’s President or the institution he was elected to lead. FIFA welcomes legitimate scrutiny.

“But scrutiny is not a licence to distort facts, amplify unsubstantiated allegations or manufacture distractions designed to undermine progress. Where reporting is inaccurate or misleading, FIFA will challenge it directly and vigorously. FIFA’s responsibility is to its 211 Member Associations and to football around the world.

“We will not be distracted or diverted from strengthening the organisation, delivering for our Member Associations and continuing the work of making football truly global. Through the FIFA President and the FIFA administration, our focus remains firmly on that mission, and we are more determined than ever to fulfil it.”

The next FIFA presidential election is scheduled to take place in Rabat, Morocco, in March 2027.