Infantino loses Swiss backing for campaign to remain Fifa chief

The Swiss Football Association (SFV) has withdrawn its backing for FIFA President Gianni Infantino in the upcoming presidential election. This decision follows controversy over Infantino's proposal to establish a commercial subsidiary to manage FIFA's major events like the World Cup and Club World Cup.

The SFV's executive board met on Friday and decided to withdraw its support declared in June 2026. Infantino's plan, known as the FIFA Forward Enterprise (FFE) initiative, would have permitted private investors to hold shares in a corporation created under this initiative. However, the backlash against the proposal led to its abandonment shortly after.

SFV president Peter Knabel expressed concerns over leadership, governance, transparency, and decision-making processes within FIFA. He highlighted Infantino's proposed consultation with national federations for governance reform as a significant signal but emphasized that many key questions remain unanswered. Knabel stated that these unanswered questions prevented the SFV from continuing to support Infantino's candidacy.

UEFA, the governing body representing major football nations such as Spain, France, England, and Germany, is leading the opposition to Infantino and openly calls for his removal. The SFV, being a UEFA member, clarified that its decision does not signify a departure from constructive cooperation within FIFA and the global football community. The SFV remains committed to promoting transparency, a credible structure, and rules-based decision-making processes while advocating for an integrity-driven football community.

Infantino still has the backing of the 2034 World Cup hosts, Saudi Arabia. The African Football Confederation (CAF) and South America's CONMEBOL are also supporting him. FIFA's candidate nominations for the March election are due on November 18, with Infantino currently being the sole contender.