FIFA slams effort to ‘undermine’ chief Infantino after nixed investment scheme

FIFA warned on Saturday against a 'concerted and ongoing effort' to undermine President Gianni Infantino, following the collapse of his $4.2 billion investment scheme. The plan faced criticism from UEFA and others, leading to calls for his resignation. FIFA reaffirmed support for Infantino after a crisis meeting in Morocco.

FIFA on Saturday warned against what it called a 'concerted and ongoing effort' to undermine President Gianni Infantino, saying attempts to challenge his leadership must follow the governing body's statutes and democratic procedures. The statement came amid a bitter standoff over Infantino's leadership following the collapse of his proposal to raise about $4.2 billion by selling a stake in the commercial rights of the World Cup and other tournaments. The plan triggered criticism from UEFA, national associations, and senior FIFA officials, led to calls for Infantino to resign, and prompted a crisis meeting in Morocco this week at which FIFA's leadership reaffirmed its support for the president. FIFA did not identify those it said were seeking to undermine Infantino or specify which reports or allegations it was referring to. The statement followed reports by The Daily Telegraph about payments made by UEFA to a former employee and ex-lover of Infantino during his time as the European governing body's general secretary, allegations he has denied and that FIFA has rejected as unfounded. FIFA said recent reporting had included 'unsubstantiated assertions and demonstrably false claims' concerning FIFA and its president, adding that it would challenge inaccurate or misleading reports 'directly and vigorously.' It added it would not support, facilitate, or tolerate any process concerning the election of its president that was inconsistent with its statutes. Following a crisis meeting in Morocco on Wednesday, FIFA apologized to its 211 member associations for mistakes in the handling of the proposal and said its leadership had reaffirmed its full support for Infantino. The fallout has cast a shadow over Infantino's bid for a fourth term at the FIFA Congress in Morocco in March. UEFA has said it no longer has confidence in Infantino, while Norwegian Football Federation President Lise Klaveness called for him to resign on Friday. But Infantino continues to enjoy substantial support among FIFA's 211 members. The Confederation of African Football (CAF) unanimously backed his leadership on Thursday, while South America's CONMEBOL rejected any attempt to oust him that did not involve a vote of all FIFA members. Mexico's football federation (FMF) also backed Infantino, despite its regional confederation CONCACAF having called for a 'comprehensive reckoning' with his presidency.