No French connection for Infantino

PARIS (AP):

The French Football Federation (FFF) yesterday withdrew its support for Gianni Infantino’s bid for another term as FIFA president, citing governance concerns that intensified following his controversial plan to sell stakes in the World Cup.

The FFF said the decision by its executive committee was unanimous.

The FIFA presidential election is scheduled for March.

“Whilst support had initially been given to the FIFA president, who was then the sole candidate for his own succession, the conditions for that support are no longer met,” the FFF said.

“A series of events directly involving FIFA’s governance and its president, and in direct conflict with the fundamental principles of good governance and the values of football, occurred after the FFF expressed its support on June 29.”

Among the concerns cited by the French federation was Infantino’s plan to sell stakes in the World Cup to private equity investors for US$4.2 billion. FIFA withdrew the proposal on August 1, just days after it became public, following strong opposition.

“Today, whilst this project has been definitively abandoned thanks to a concerted response within UEFA in conjunction with several other confederations, the issue of FIFA’s governance cannot be considered resolved,” the FFF insisted.

The federation added that Infantino’s recent initiatives have “seriously damaged the image and unity of football”.

UEFA has been at the forefront of calls for Infantino’s departure, saying it has lost confidence in him. It has previously threatened to boycott FIFA competitions, including the World Cup. Several national associations, including England, have also withdrawn support for Infantino’s re-election.

FIFA said on Sunday that Infantino plans to stand in next year’s election for a final term in office through 2031.

The FFF called for wide-ranging reform of FIFA’s governance and said it would launch consultations with leading French and international figures.

“The aim of these consultations,” it said, “will be to foster collective reflection and to draw up proposals for a far-reaching transformation of FIFA’s governance, with a view to restoring confidence, enhancing transparency, and ensuring the independence and exemplary conduct of world football’s governing body.”