Fifa has issued a statement defending under-fire president Gianni Infantino, alleging a 'concerted and ongoing effort' to undermine the organisation as its dispute with Uefa and European football deepens.
Key facts
- Fifa issued a statement alleging a 'concerted and ongoing effort by some to undermine Fifa and its president'.
- The statement was described by the Guardian as a thinly-veiled attack on Uefa and other leading figures in European football.
- Uefa confirmed a 'departure payment' was made to a female employee alleged to have been in a relationship with Infantino when he was Uefa general secretary; Fifa called the allegations 'categorically untrue'.
- The Norwegian Football Federation has publicly called on Infantino to resign, according to the Guardian.
- Uefa regards Infantino's continued leadership as untenable following his role in World Cup sell-off plans.
Fifa has issued a new statement in defence of its president, Gianni Infantino, alleging there is a “concerted and ongoing effort by some to undermine Fifa and its president,” as tensions within world football escalate. The Guardian described the statement as a thinly-veiled attack on Uefa and other leading figures in European football.
The statement followed Uefa confirming on Saturday that a “departure payment” was made to a female employee who is alleged to have been in a relationship with Infantino while he was the organisation’s general secretary. Fifa dismissed those allegations as “categorically untrue,” according to the Guardian.
Fifa also warned in its messaging that “insinuation should not be presented as fact,” as it sought to defend its “democratically-elected” president against mounting pressure.
According to the Guardian, Uefa has made clear it regards Infantino’s continued leadership of world football as untenable following his role in World Cup sell-off plans. The Guardian revealed on Friday that the Norwegian Football Federation had publicly called on Infantino to resign.
Fifa responded to the Norwegian federation by accusing it of attempting to subvert the organisation’s democratic processes, the Guardian reported, in what it characterised as football’s civil war escalating further.
Al Jazeera reported that Fifa’s statement came after Infantino denied Uefa paid off his alleged lover while he was the body’s general secretary, as the crisis around his leadership deepened.
Why it matters
The dispute pits football's global governing body against its most powerful continental confederation, raising questions about the leadership of the sport at the highest level. Public calls for Infantino's resignation and allegations denied by Fifa point to a deepening institutional crisis with implications for how the game is governed.
Frequently asked questions
What did Fifa's statement say?
Fifa alleged there is a 'concerted and ongoing effort by some to undermine Fifa and its president' and defended its 'democratically-elected' president, adding that 'insinuation should not be presented as fact,' according to the Guardian.
What allegations is Infantino facing?
Uefa confirmed a 'departure payment' was made to a female employee alleged to have been in a relationship with Infantino while he was Uefa's general secretary. Fifa dismissed the allegations as 'categorically untrue,' and Al Jazeera reported Infantino denied Uefa paid off his alleged lover.
Who has called for Infantino to resign?
According to the Guardian, the Norwegian Football Federation has publicly called on Infantino to resign, while Uefa regards his continued leadership as untenable following his role in World Cup sell-off plans.