FIFA Hits Back At Growing Pressure To Oust Infantino

FIFA has accused some of its critics of carrying out a coordinated campaign to weaken the organisation and force out president Gianni Infantino.

The governing body issued the statement after a report by the *Daily Telegraph* made allegations concerning Infantino's private life. The newspaper reported that a woman allegedly involved in an affair with Infantino while he was UEFA general secretary later received a severance payment from UEFA.

Infantino has strongly rejected the allegations, with FIFA describing the claims as "categorically untrue". The organisation also criticised what it called speculation, misinformation and claims that have not been properly substantiated.

The dispute comes as Infantino faces increasing opposition from European football authorities following the collapse of his proposed FIFA Forward Enterprise (FFE). The plan would have established a new company responsible for commercial and ticketing rights, with a 21% stake potentially being sold to a private investment firm.

UEFA has publicly stated that it no longer has confidence in Infantino and has warned that a boycott of FIFA competitions remains possible. The European governing body has also said it has yet to receive guarantees that the FFE proposal cannot be brought back in another form.

Opposition has grown beyond UEFA, with Norwegian Football Federation president Lise Klaveness calling on Infantino to step down.

FIFA, however, insists that Infantino continues to have a legitimate mandate after being elected by its member associations.

"The FIFA president was democratically elected by FIFA's Member Associations and continues to serve with their mandate," the organisation said.

FIFA also argued that anyone seeking to replace Infantino should do so through the organisation's established democratic procedures rather than through public accusations or what it described as misinformation.

The strongest resistance to Infantino has so far come from Europe. Elsewhere, he continues to enjoy significant support.

The Mexican Football Federation has backed the FIFA president, despite taking a position different from its regional governing body, Concacaf. Mexico joined South America's CONMEBOL in opposing any attempt to remove Infantino without a vote involving all 211 FIFA member associations.

Infantino also has unanimous backing from the 54 member associations of the Confederation of African Football (CAF).

The growing divide therefore reflects a broader battle over FIFA's leadership and commercial direction, with Infantino facing serious criticism in Europe while retaining substantial support across other regions of world football.