FIFA defends its President Infantino amid backlash

Fifa has strongly criticized a campaign aimed at ousting its president, Gianni Infantino. This criticism comes after a Daily Telegraph report claimed that Infantino's alleged lover received a severance payment from Uefa after an affair while he was Uefa's general secretary. Infantino vehemently denies these allegations, stating they are categorically untrue.

FIFA has now also criticized unsubstantiated assertions and false claims, emphasizing that speculation and insinuation should not be presented as fact. Infantino has faced increasing pressure from Uefa and European football associations due to his aborted Fifa Forward Enterprise (FFE) proposal, which would have created a new company to manage commercial and ticketing rights.

Uefa has expressed its loss of confidence in Infantino, while the Norwegian Football Federation (NFF) president called for his resignation. The European governing body has threatened to boycott Fifa events, pending assurances that the FFE plan cannot be revived. FIFA President Infantino was democratically elected by the organization's Member Associations and continues to serve with their mandate.

Opposition to Infantino largely comes from within Europe, with the Mexican Football Federation breaking ranks with Concacaf to support him and Conmebol rejecting any attempt to remove him without a vote involving all 211 Fifa member countries. Infantino has also received unanimous support from the 54 nations of the Confederation of African Football (CAF).

FIFA issued a statement on behalf of Infantino and Secretary General Mattias Grafstrom, apologizing for the FFE proposal but reiterating that they will not tolerate attacks on Fifa's integrity, good governance, and due process.