FIFA has kicked against alleged efforts to undermine the organisation and its president, insisting that its leadership remains backed by the governing body’s member associations.
FIFA, in a statement on Saturday, said it would not support or facilitate any process concerning the election of its president that does not comply with its statutes, democratic procedures and established governance framework.
According to the football governing body, the president was “democratically elected by FIFA’s Member Associations” and continues to serve with their mandate.
The statement said, “Echoing the recent statements of CONMEBOL and CAF, as well as discussions with FIFA Member Associations and Confederations from around the world, FIFA will not support, facilitate or tolerate any process concerning the election of the FIFA President that is inconsistent with FIFA’s Statutes, democratic procedures and established governance framework.
“The FIFA President was democratically elected by FIFA’s Member Associations and continues to serve with their mandate.”
FIFA said it was becoming increasingly clear that “there is a concerted and ongoing effort by some to undermine FIFA and its President.”
Recall that CAF had earlier unanimously endorsed FIFA’s joint statement acknowledging mistakes in the handling of the proposed FIFA Forward Enterprise and its apology, while reaffirming its commitment to governance, transparency and due process.
Similarly, the Mexican Football Federation broke ranks with regional football body CONCACAF to declare its support for Infantino amid growing criticism of his leadership.
Mexico, one of the three co-hosts of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, backed Infantino after CONCACAF called for a “comprehensive reckoning” of his presidency following his controversial proposal to sell stakes in the World Cup to private investors.
The organisation said those without the backing of its member associations should not seek to achieve through allegations or misinformation what they could not achieve through its established democratic processes.
“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,” it said.
The statement also rejected recent reports which FIFA said contained unsubstantiated assertions and false claims concerning the organisation and its president.
It stated, “Recent reporting has included unsubstantiated assertions and demonstrably false claims concerning FIFA and its President.
“Speculation and insinuation should not be presented as fact, and repetition does not make an allegation true.”
The organisation also defended the president’s record in football, saying he had spent more than 30 years in professional football and contributed to changes in the game.
“The FIFA President has dedicated more than 30 years of his professional life to European and world football, contributing to significant change in the game and, in particular, to broadening access, resources and opportunity across world football,” the statement said.
FIFA acknowledged that such changes could challenge established interests but said disagreements should not be used to undermine the president’s mandate or the organisation.
“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 said.
The governing body said it remained open to legitimate scrutiny but warned against what it described as inaccurate reporting and the amplification of unsubstantiated allegations.
“FIFA welcomes legitimate scrutiny. But scrutiny is not a licence to distort facts, amplify unsubstantiated allegations or manufacture distractions designed to undermine progress,” it added.
“Where reporting is inaccurate or misleading, FIFA will challenge it directly and vigorously.”
FIFA said its responsibility remained to its 211 member associations and football globally, adding that it would continue to focus on strengthening the organisation and delivering for its members.
“Through the FIFA President and the FIFA administration, our focus remains firmly on that mission, and we are more determined than ever to fulfil it,” the statement said.
The statement comes against the backdrop of the controversy surrounding FIFA’s initiative, which was withdrawn after opposition from stakeholders before the governing body subsequently apologised over the development.
This episode has added to scrutiny of FIFA president and the organisation’s decision-making, with FIFA now insisting that any process concerning the presidency must comply with its statutes and established democratic procedures.
In an earlier report, our correspondent noted that several nations have publicly declared their support for the embattled FIFA president while some withdrew theirs, see the full list here so far.
