{
  "id": 6606559,
  "title": "France withdraws support for Infantino as FIFA president",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/10/france-withdraws-support-for-infantino-as-fifa-president-6606559",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-09-10T16:04:16.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Punch Nigeria",
    "slug": "punch-nigeria",
    "url": "https://punchng.com/france-withdraws-support-for-infantino-as-fifa-president/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "France has announced it will no longer support Gianni Infantino as FIFA president, joining the UK, Italy, Ireland, and Scotland in distancing themselves from the world governing body’s leader. This decision comes after Infantino's controversial proposal to sell shares in FIFA competitions, including the World Cup, to private investors. The move sparked widespread criticism, leading UEFA, the Asian Football Confederation, and Concacaf to call for Infantino's resignation. Despite this, Infantino plans to seek a fourth term at the upcoming presidential election in March. The French Football Federation's president, Philippe Diallo, criticized the handling of Infantino's proposal, stating that a project of such significance should be planned with comprehensive information, consultation, and transparency. The FFF plans to consult various stakeholders, including confederations, national associations, players, supporters, and governance experts, to drive wide-ranging reforms in FIFA's governance.",
  "summary": "The French Football Federation has withdrawn its support for Gianni Infantino’s FIFA presidency, joining other European nations over governance concerns. Read More: https://punchng.com/france-withdraws-support-for-infantino-as-fifa-president/",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 6,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Channel News Asia",
        "title": "France withdraws support for FIFA president Infantino, Le Monde reports",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/10/france-withdraws-support-for-fifa-president-infantino-le-monde-reports",
        "published": "2026-09-10T09:55:07.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "France 24",
        "title": "🔴 French Football Federation pulls support from FIFA head Infantino's re-election bid, French media reports",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/10/french-football-federation-pulls-support-from-fifa-head-infantinos-re",
        "published": "2026-09-10T10:01:05.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Punch Nigeria",
        "title": "France will not support Infantino in FIFA election – Federation chief",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/10/france-will-not-support-infantino-in-fifa-election-federation-chief",
        "published": "2026-09-10T12:28:25.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Winnipeg Free Press",
        "title": "French soccer federation withdraws support for Infantino’s FIFA re-election bid",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/10/french-soccer-federation-withdraws-support-for-infantinos-fifa-re",
        "published": "2026-09-10T12:32:23.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "The Citizen",
        "title": "France withdraws support for Infantino in FIFA presidential election",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/10/france-withdraws-support-for-infantino-in-fifa-presidential-election",
        "published": "2026-09-10T13:28:29.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}