Fifa criticises campaign to oust president Infantino

Image source, Getty ImagesImage caption, Gianni Infantino apologised for the Fifa Forward Enterprise proposal, but now it seems to be business as usual for the Fifa president

Football issues correspondentPublished8 August 2026, 22:47 BSTUpdated 37 minutes agoFifa has strongly criticised what it calls a "concerted and ongoing effort" to "undermine" the organisation and its president Gianni Infantino.

The statement follows a Daily Telegraph report, external which claimed Infantino's alleged lover was given a severance payment by Uefa after he had an affair while he was its general secretary.

A Fifa spokesperson told the Telegraph Infantino "strongly denies" the allegations and that they are "categorically untrue".

Fifa has now itself hit out at "unsubstantiated assertions and demonstrably false claims", adding that "speculation and insinuation should not be presented as fact".

Infantino has come under increasing pressure from Uefa and European football associations over his aborted Fifa Forward Enterprise (FFE) proposal.

FFE would have meant a new company being created to manage commercial and ticketing rights, with 21% sold off to a private investment company.

Uefa has said it has lost confidence in Infantino, while Norwegian Football Federation (NFF) president Lise Klaveness on Friday called on the Swiss-Italian to resign.

European football's governing body says its threat to boycott Fifa events remains on the table, adding that assurances the FFE plan could not be revived have not been received.

"The Fifa president was democratically elected by Fifa's Member Associations and continues to serve with their mandate," Fifa said in its statement on Saturday.

"It is increasingly evident that there is a concerted and ongoing effort by some to undermine Fifa and its president.

"Those who do not have the support of Fifa's member associations should not seek to achieve through allegation, insinuation or misinformation what they cannot achieve through Fifa's established democratic processes."

Opposition to Infantino is largely from within Europe.

The Mexican Football Federation broke ranks with its regional governing body Concacaf to come out in support of Infantino.

It echoed a statement from Conmebol - South America's governing body - in saying it would reject any attempt to remove Infantino without a vote involving all 211 Fifa member countries.

Infantino is also unanimously backed by the 54 nations of the Confederation of African Football (Caf).

Infantino called members of the Fifa management board to a meeting in Rabat, Morocco on Wednesday.

Fifa issued a statement on behalf of Infantino and secretary general Mattias Grafstrom which apologised for the FFE proposal, but also said it would "no longer tolerate any attacks on its integrity, good governance and due process".

The statement released late on Saturday evening was similarly defensive about the criticism the organisation has faced.

"Change inevitably challenges established interests, but disagreement with that change cannot justify efforts to undermine the democratic mandate of Fifa's president or the institution he was elected to lead," it added.

"Fifa welcomes legitimate scrutiny. But scrutiny is not a licence to distort facts, amplify unsubstantiated allegations or manufacture distractions designed to undermine progress.

"Where reporting is inaccurate or misleading, Fifa will challenge it directly and vigorously."

Politicians, private jets and power - the life of a Fifa president

Norway call for Infantino to resign as Mexico and Conmebol chief back president

France set to take part in U20 Women's World Cup

ShortsPreviousNext0:20'I love Colombia!' - Infantino on South American support. 00:00:20, play video'I love Colombia!' - Infantino on South American support0:45People were crying - Nunes on Guardiola exit. 00:00:45, play videoPeople were crying - Nunes on Guardiola exit0:55How Uefa's boycott could impact women's football. 00:00:55, play videoHow Uefa's boycott could impact women's football0:18Infantino questioned by journalist in Colombia. 00:00:18, play videoInfantino questioned by journalist in ColombiaTop storiesFifa criticises campaign to oust president Infantino

Tielemans cameo against PSG hints at Man Utd future

Garcia hopes long-term friend Alonso's Chelsea finish second to Liverpool

With great power comes great responsibility

The rise and fall of a transatlantic cocaine empire

Chris Packham explores four billion years of evolution

Liza lands a major film job but her past could derail everything

Life as a Wag in the transfer window

Tielemans cameo against PSG hints at Man Utd future

'What a throw!' - Southern Brave's two stunning run outs. Video'What a throw!' - Southern Brave's two stunning run outs

Why can't the Premier League attract the world's best players?

Inside Newcastle 2.0 - how the project is changing

Politicians, private jets and power - the life of a Fifa president

A secret invite and other 'pinch-me' moments before Leicester woke up

39 moves across five countries - football's ultimate journeyman

Who will leave Chelsea? How Blues could cut 41-man squad

Why Real are happy to pay £120m for raw genius of Diomande

Weekly sports quiz: Beckham at the Commonwealth Games?

Lines to be first British woman in America's Cup team for 90 years

Why Liverpool are ready to make Barcola third £100m signing

Why £1m-a-season deal will be hard for Pollock and Hearn to find

A youngster to watch at each Premier League club this season