The French Football Federation (FFF) is withdrawing its support for Gianni Infantino’s re-election as FIFA president. Now they are demanding a fundamental reform of the entire governance of world football – and calling the situation incompatible with football’s own values.
It is another setback for the controversial FIFA president.
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For a long time, Gianni Infantino seemed to be heading for re-election without an opposing candidate in March. But now he has lost the support of yet another heavy football nation.
The background is his failed plans to sell stakes in the World Cup and FIFA’s other major tournaments to private investors. The proposals caused a strong stir in the football world, and last month it emerged that the European Football Association UEFA is considering filing a complaint against Infantino.
UEFA, the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) and North America’s CONCACAF have all advocated for change at the top of FIFA – and are now looking for a credible alternative candidate.
England’s Football Association and the Italian Football Federation are among the European FIFA members who have already withdrawn their support. On Thursday, France joined the ranks, after FFE’s board unanimously decided to do the same.
“Trust is gone”
A statement from the federation reads:
“FFF withdraws its support for Gianni Infantino’s re-election and demands a fundamental reform of FIFA’s system of governance.
Furthermore, they explain that the support was originally given when Infantino was the only candidate to succeed himself – but that the conditions for that support are no longer present.
“A number of incidents that directly involve FIFA’s governance and its president, and which are in direct conflict with the fundamental principles of good governance and the values of football, have taken place after FFF gave its support on 29 June.
“FIFA’s governance is not up to scratch”
FFF emphasizes that even though Infantino’s controversial “FIFA Forward Enterprise” plans have now been shelved, it does not mean that the problems at the top of world football have been solved.
“At the end of July, a plan fronted by the FIFA president was revealed, with the aim of creating a commercial company that would include the rights to the World Cup, among other things, and opening up the share capital to external investors,” the statement reads.
– FFF emphasized through its president that “a project with such a great impact on the future of football could not be considered without comprehensive information, thorough consultation and a fully transparent decision-making process”. FIFA’s governance does not live up to the standards that football represents.
“Today, although this project has finally been abandoned thanks to a united response within UEFA together with several other confederations, the issue of FIFA’s governance cannot be considered resolved.
Wants broad reform
It is precisely in this landscape – where the FIFA president’s recent initiatives have severely damaged football’s reputation and unity – that the FFF is now withdrawing its support ahead of the March 2027 presidential election.
The federation advocates a comprehensive reform of FIFA’s governance, drafted in consultation with confederations, national federations, and all stakeholders – players, supporters, and others.
“With this goal in mind, the FFF will in the coming days start a series of consultations with leading French and international figures, whose expertise in governance – also outside of sport – is widely recognized.
The aim is to facilitate collective reflection and develop proposals for a profound transformation of FIFA’s governance – to restore trust, strengthen transparency and ensure that world football’s governing body acts independently and in an exemplary manner.
“FFF, a founder of FIFA, thus wants to contribute to a debate that is absolutely crucial for the future of football, its regulation and development.
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