UEFA, AFC and CONCACAF weigh no-confidence vote against FIFA President Infantino
Axios (Tổng hợp từ Al Jazeera English)
UEFA, AFC and CONCACAF are reportedly discussing a no-confidence vote to remove FIFA President Gianni Infantino, according to senior sources. The move follows his handling of a collapsed plan to sell stakes in FIFA's commercial arm, which drew criticism from the confederations.
Three of the world's leading regional football confederations are discussing whether to push for a no-confidence vote aimed at removing FIFA President Gianni Infantino, according to senior officials briefed on the talks.
UEFA, the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) and CONCACAF are considering the move after previously opposing Infantino over a proposal to sell equity to private investors in FIFA's events, including the World Cup.
“There is no way out,” one unnamed source told Reuters, citing the sensitivity of the discussions. “Either he leaves gracefully and decides not to run in March, or he will have to go the harder way,” the person added, referring to the possibility of a no-confidence vote.
Under FIFA's statutes, the FIFA Council can convene an extraordinary congress at any time, while the Council is obliged to call one if at least one-fifth of FIFA's 211 member associations submit a written request detailing the items they want placed on the agenda. An extraordinary congress must be convened within three months, with each attending association holding one vote. However, FIFA's statutes contain no specific provision for a no-confidence vote against the president.
FIFA did not respond immediately to a request for comment from Al Jazeera. UEFA did not comment directly on whether a no-confidence vote was being discussed, instead referencing its earlier statement that a review of FIFA's leadership and governance should be “thorough and fundamental” and that “no option is excluded”. CONCACAF declined to comment directly, also pointing to a previous joint statement with UEFA and the AFC accusing FIFA's leadership of breaching fundamental trust. The AFC did not respond to a request for comment.
Infantino has declared his intention to stand for re-election at the scheduled FIFA Congress in March 2027 and retains significant support among member associations, including the African confederation CAF. FIFA has also apologised to member associations for mistakes in its handling of the proposal. Last week, six Arab football associations, including Qatar and Morocco – co-hosts of the 2030 World Cup – publicly backed Infantino.
A senior official close to the matter told Reuters that while the three confederations support a no-confidence vote, they fear an unsuccessful challenge would further bolster Infantino's position, demonstrating his electoral support and strengthening his standing ahead of the presidential election expected next year.
Infantino has been under intense pressure since the collapse in July of a proposal to sell a minority stake in a new FIFA commercial entity to private investors. The entity would have controlled the commercial rights to the World Cup – the world's biggest sporting event. FIFA said revenue for 2023-2026 is expected to exceed $15 billion, largely driven by the 2026 World Cup.
Three of FIFA's six continental confederations – UEFA, AFC and CONCACAF – opposed the proposal and have since strongly criticised Infantino's handling of the affair, citing a lack of transparency, consultation and governance. The crisis deepened this week when FIFA CEO Kevin Lamour departed, having criticised the investment proposal and said staff had been “misled” about the project by one individual. FIFA gave no reason for Lamour's departure. FIFA Vice-President Sandor Csanyi also withdrew his support for Infantino, calling Lamour's exit “the straw that broke the camel's back”.
However, Infantino's opponents face significant hurdles. No candidate has yet publicly declared a run before the November 18 filing deadline. Infantino still enjoys support from a section of FIFA's membership. CAF President Patrice Motsepe said last week that Infantino continues to receive Africa's support and that his future should be decided by FIFA members at the election. Under the abandoned investment proposal, associations would have been able to access up to $20 million each for infrastructure, coaching, national teams, competitions, grassroots and women's football.
Pressure has also spread beyond those with votes at FIFA. The European Football Clubs (EFC), led by PSG president Nasser Al-Khelaifi and representing more than 800 clubs, is understood to be aligned with UEFA and others seeking change at FIFA. EFC has warned FIFA that its members could refuse to take part in future men's and women's Club World Cups if governance concerns and the relationship between clubs and FIFA are not addressed. Clubs do not vote at FIFA but hold significant commercial and sporting leverage.
Michael Payne, former marketing director of the International Olympic Committee, argued that even an electoral victory for Infantino would not necessarily heal the divisions. “It's fine if he gets through with a 51% majority due to lots of small nations, but all the football powers are against him. So how do you run the organisation?” Payne told Reuters. No FIFA sponsor has publicly criticised the crisis. “Sponsors are raising eyebrows, saying: 'How can you have such a successful World Cup and then shoot yourself in the foot afterwards?'” he said.
