Human rights group FairSquare has filed a complaint with FIFA's Governance, Audit and Compliance Committee (GACC), urging it to declare President Gianni Infantino ineligible to seek another term leading world soccer's governing body. FairSquare argues that Infantino has served the maximum three terms permitted under FIFA statutes.
Under FIFA's rules, the president may serve a maximum of three terms. However, in 2022, Infantino successfully argued that his first term, which began after his election at an extraordinary congress in 2016 following Sepp Blatter's resignation, should not count toward that limit because it was a term completed in place of an interrupted one. FairSquare contends that this interpretation is inconsistent with FIFA statutes.
FairSquare director Nicholas McGeehan told Reuters: "The complaint we have filed provides clear evidence that this is a breach of regulations and sets a very dangerous precedent. The regulations are clear that the maximum of three terms is a limit; FIFA cannot simply circumvent this rule — which is intended to check the president's power — by saying the first term does not count."
Infantino faces mounting scrutiny ahead of next year's annual FIFA Congress, scheduled for March 18 in Morocco, where he is expected to seek re-election for a term spanning 2027–2031. Last week, UEFA, the Asian Football Confederation (AFC), and CONCACAF called for a review of Infantino's conduct after FIFA proposed establishing a $20 billion subsidiary related to tournaments, including the World Cup, to attract private investment. Sources indicated these three confederations viewed the letter as an opportunity for Infantino to step down with dignity.
Several national football associations have also voiced concerns. Scottish Football Association chief executive Ian Maxwell told the BBC on Monday that his association would not back Infantino's re-election bid. However, Infantino continues to receive support from African and South American football confederations.
Questions of Transparency
FairSquare also questioned the transparency of the 2022 ruling, arguing the committee's reasoning was never published. McGeehan said: "Their failure to provide any justification for that decision, and announcing it two days before the final of the 2022 Qatar World Cup, suggests they were well aware there was no basis to exclude Infantino's first term."
The letter to the GACC was prepared with support from Miguel Maduro, former chair of FIFA's Independent Governance Committee and Review Committee. Maduro stated: "The principle of term limits is a fundamental aspect of the 2016 reforms designed to constrain power, and the rule was issued with utmost clarity: no FIFA president may serve more than three terms. Attempting to carve out an exception to this rule for Mr. Infantino demonstrates both a rejection of the principle of term limits and how some within FIFA regard rules not as rules but as obstacles to be circumvented."
