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SportsFIFA President Infantino announces re-election bid for 2027 amid UEFA opposition
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Gianni Infantino, the embattled FIFA President, has officially announced through a spokesperson that he will run for re-election in 2027. The announcement comes amid significant pressure following his controversial and now-withdrawn plans to involve investors in future World Cup business. Infantino stated there will be 'a lot to say' at the right time and place. The European Football Union (UEFA) is actively opposing his re-election and preparing disciplinary proceedings on suspicion of breach of fiduciary duty related to the investor deal. UEFA boss Aleksander Ceferin is a leading critic, though he will not challenge Infantino himself. Football associations from Asia, North America, and Central America have also joined UEFA in opposing Infantino's investor plans. The application deadline for the FIFA presidency is November 18. Infantino has held the office since 2016 and faces the biggest crisis of his tenure.
Source report
Following UEFA, the football associations from Asia, North and Central America are now also opposing FIFA President Infantino's investor plans. "He won't give up that quickly," says Walter M. Straten, Deputy Editor-in-Chief of Sports at "Bild."
Gianni Infantino has confirmed through a spokesperson that he will run for re-election as FIFA President in 2027. At the right time and in the right place, he will also have a lot to say, Infantino stated.
The massively pressured FIFA President Gianni Infantino will stand for re-election next year. "The FIFA President announced in April that he will run for re-election in 2027. Of course, nothing has changed about that," said a spokesperson for the world football association. "Mr. Infantino will run for re-election."
Before the opening of the U-20 Women's World Cup in Poland on Saturday, Infantino had been evasive when asked about his future. When a journalist asked him if he would definitely run for election, he left the room smiling, but raised his thumb. Infantino watched the opening match of Poland against Argentina in Katowice, which the hosts won 3-0.
"There will be a lot to say, but there will be the right place and the right time for it," the FIFA boss had also announced in Katowice. Just one day later, a statement followed that cleared up the open questions.
Under Massive Pressure After Investor Plans
Infantino has come under extreme pressure in recent months and is in the biggest crisis of his era. His publicly known and now withdrawn plans to involve investors in future World Cup business, in particular, caused outrage in the football world.
Although the plans are now off the table, Infantino remains controversial. The European Football Union (UEFA) wants to prevent Infantino's re-election at the FIFA Congress next March. UEFA boss Aleksander Ceferin is considered one of Infantino's harshest critics. The Slovenian himself, however, had announced that he would not challenge the 56-year-old. The application deadline runs until November 18. Infantino has held the office since 2016.
UEFA Preparing Disciplinary Proceedings
UEFA is preparing disciplinary proceedings due to the investor deal on suspicion of breach of fiduciary duty. This means that someone entrusted with the management of foreign assets or business has violated their duties and thereby caused financial damage to the affected person or organization.
No charges have been filed so far. Infantino insists that he has not violated any applicable law. Most recently, FIFA itself involved the US judiciary and accused the Europeans of a "smear campaign."
step/dpa
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