Rights group asks FIFA to stop Infantino's re-election plans

Human rights organization FairSquare has penned a letter to three FIFA Governance, Audit and Compliance Committee members, urging them to prevent FIFA President Gianni Infantino from seeking re-election. The letter, obtained by The Athletic, contends that FIFA statutes do not allow Infantino a second term. A 2022 amendment to the regulations, aimed at permitting a second term, was not adequately published prior to the FIFA Council vote.

The key issue is whether Infantino's initial term, spanning 2016 to 2019, counts as a full term. If it does, he would be barred from re-election, as a FIFA president is capped at three terms. Infantino argues that he only served the term of his predecessor, Joseph Blatter, and thus should be eligible to continue until 2027. Currently, Infantino stands as the sole candidate.

FairSquare's appeal is largely symbolic, as the organization previously lost its bid to challenge Infantino before the International Olympic Committee, citing allegations of close ties to US President Donald Trump and political interference in the federation. Infantino has been under scrutiny for weeks after proposing billion-dollar deals to sell World Cup rights to private investors.

Following widespread protests, including UEFA's threat of a World Cup boycott, Infantino withdrew the proposal.