Rabat – FIFA has strongly defended its president, Gianni Infantino, while rejecting what it described as false, unsubstantiated and misleading allegations aimed at undermining the organisation and its leadership.
In a statement issued by a FIFA spokesperson, the governing body said it would not support, facilitate or tolerate any process concerning the election of the FIFA president that is inconsistent with its statutes, democratic procedures or established governance framework.
The statement comes as FIFA says some parties are engaged in an ongoing effort to undermine the organisation and its president. FIFA stressed that Infantino was democratically elected by the organisation’s 211 Member Associations and continues to serve under the mandate granted to him.
The governing body rejected attempts to bypass its democratic procedures, saying it would not support any process seeking to challenge the established rules governing the election of its president.
FIFA also argued that those who do not have the support of its Member Associations should not attempt to achieve through allegations, insinuations or misinformation what they cannot achieve through the organisation’s established democratic processes.
According to FIFA, recent reporting has included “unsubstantiated assertions” and claims it considers demonstrably false concerning the organisation and its president.
The governing body also warned against presenting speculation or insinuations as facts.
“Repetition does not make an allegation true,” FIFA said in its statement.
Support from CONMEBOL and CAF
FIFA said its position is consistent with recent statements from CONMEBOL and CAF, as well as discussions held with FIFA Member Associations and Confederations from around the world.
The governing body said those discussions reinforced its position that any process concerning the election of the FIFA president must comply with FIFA’s statutes, democratic procedures and established governance framework.
FIFA again stressed that its president was democratically elected by its Member Associations and continues to exercise the mandate given to him.
FIFA defends Infantino’s record in World Football
The statement also defended Infantino’s professional record and his contribution to the development of football.
FIFA said the president has dedicated more than 30 years of his professional life to European and world football.
The governing body credited him with contributing to significant changes in the sport, particularly by expanding access, resources and opportunities across world football.
FIFA acknowledged that such changes can challenge established interests.
However, it argued that disagreement with those changes cannot justify attempts to undermine the democratic mandate of the FIFA president or the institution he was elected to lead.
Scrutiny is legitimate
While strongly rejecting what it considers inaccurate reporting, FIFA said it welcomes legitimate scrutiny.
The organisation stressed, however, that scrutiny should not be used to distort facts, amplify allegations without evidence or create distractions intended to undermine progress.
FIFA said that when reporting is inaccurate or misleading, it will challenge it “directly and vigorously.”
The statement therefore draws a distinction between legitimate criticism of FIFA and what the organisation considers deliberate attempts to damage its reputation and leadership through unsupported claims.
Focus on global football
FIFA said its responsibility is to its 211 Member Associations and to football around the world.
The governing body insisted that it would not allow the current controversy to distract it from its wider objectives.
It said its focus remains on strengthening the organisation, delivering for its Member Associations and continuing its efforts to make football “truly global.”
FIFA added that, through the president and the FIFA administration, its focus remains firmly on that mission and that it is “more determined than ever” to fulfil it.
The statement ultimately represents a strong defence of FIFA’s leadership and governance structure, while signalling that the organisation intends to respond forcefully to claims it considers inaccurate or misleading.
