FIFA Defends Infantino From Critics, Says It Will Not Tolerate Attempts to Bypass Its Democratic Process

FIFA has strongly defended President Gianni Infantino and warned against what it described as an ongoing effort to undermine both the organization and the mandate given to its president by its member associations.

In a statement issued through its spokesperson, FIFA said it would not support, facilitate or tolerate any attempt to influence the election of its president outside the organisation’s statutes, democratic procedures and established governance framework.

The statement comes amid growing scrutiny of FIFA and Infantino following a series of disputes over the direction of world football and the leadership of the organisation.

“Echoing the recent statements of CONMEBOL and CAF,” FIFA said it had held discussions with member associations and confederations around the world and would continue to defend the established process for electing its president.

FIFA stressed that Infantino was democratically elected by its member associations and continues to serve with their mandate.

The organization also accused unnamed individuals of coordinating efforts to weaken Infantino’s position, arguing that those without sufficient support among FIFA’s 211 member associations should not attempt to achieve through allegations or misinformation what they cannot achieve through the established democratic process.

The statement followed recent reporting and criticism surrounding FIFA and its leadership. The organization rejected what it called unsubstantiated allegations and “demonstrably false claims” concerning Infantino and FIFA.

FIFA said legitimate scrutiny of the organisation was welcome but warned that speculation should not be presented as fact.

The organisation also defended Infantino’s record, pointing to his more than three decades of involvement in European and global football and crediting him with helping expand access to resources and opportunities across the sport.

“Change inevitably challenges established interests,” FIFA said, arguing that disagreement with those changes should not be used to undermine either Infantino’s democratic mandate or FIFA itself.

The statement marks another forceful response from FIFA as tensions surrounding the organization’s leadership continue to grow.

FIFA said it would challenge inaccurate or misleading reporting “directly and vigorously“, while maintaining that its primary responsibility remained with its 211 member associations and football communities around the world.

The organization also insisted that the controversy would not divert it from its stated priorities of strengthening FIFA, delivering development programmes for its members and expanding the global reach of football.

“Through the FIFA President and the FIFA administration, our focus remains firmly on that mission,” the statement said, adding that the organisation was “more determined than ever” to continue its work.