FIFA President Gianni Infantino faces growing opposition from New Zealand and UEFA

Gianni Infantino FIFA presidency UEFA football governance New Zealand Football

The leadership of FIFA president Gianni Infantino is facing increasing scrutiny and division among global football governing bodies. New Zealand Football has officially withdrawn its support for Infantino's re-election bid, breaking ranks with the Oceania Football Confederation.

In response to the ongoing crisis, which stems from the ‘FIFA Forward Enterprise’ scheme, UEFA and its allies are exploring a plan to implement a rotating presidency system among continental confederations. This measure aims to limit the concentration of power in the role. UEFA, alongside the Asian Football Confederation and CONCACAF, has accused FIFA of breaching trust and failing to consult key stakeholders.

While opposition grows in parts of Europe and Oceania, Infantino continues to receive support from six Arab federations. Additionally, Donald Trump has commented on the situation, stating that FIFA would make a ‘terrible error’ if Infantino were replaced. CAF president Patrice Motsepe has maintained that the president's future should be determined through the standard FIFA electoral process.

Entities

Aleksander Čeferin · CAF · Confederation of African Football · Donald Trump · FIFA · Football Association of Ireland · Gianni Infantino · New Zealand Football · Oceania Football Confederation · Patrice Motsepe · UEFA

Claims

What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.

[● 8 SOURCES] Six Arab football federations, including Morocco, Qatar, Egypt, Mauritania, Lebanon, and Sudan, expressed full support for Infantino. india.timesofnews.com · cfjctoday.com · www.elbuentono.com.mx · barlamantoday.com · www.news18.com · +3 more
[● 23 SOURCES] Infantino proposed a $20 billion commercial structure to sell stakes in the World Cup to private equity investors. india.timesofnews.com · panow.com · cfjctoday.com · www.elbuentono.com.mx · www.friendsoffootballnz.com · +17 more
[● 9 SOURCES] UEFA warned that its members could consider boycotting FIFA competitions. india.timesofnews.com · cfjctoday.com · www.elbuentono.com.mx · www.aljazeera.com · larongenow.com · +4 more
[● 22 SOURCES] Gianni Infantino is seeking re-election as FIFA president at the FIFA Congress in Rabat, Morocco, on March 18. www.pulsesports.ng · www.friendsoffootballnz.com · www.aljazeera.com · www.bbc.co.uk · www.brasilemfolhas.com.br · +15 more
[● 15 SOURCES] UEFA, AFC, and CONCACAF issued a joint letter describing the investment plan as a ‘fundamental breach of trust’. india.timesofnews.com · panow.com · cfjctoday.com · www.elbuentono.com.mx · larongenow.com · +8 more
[● 25 SOURCES] The $20 billion investment proposal was withdrawn following backlash from global football officials. india.timesofnews.com · panow.com · cfjctoday.com · www.elbuentono.com.mx · barlamantoday.com · +19 more
[● 5 SOURCES] CAF president Patrice Motsepe stated that Infantino's future should be decided through the FIFA electoral process. www.pulsesports.ng · www.digisport.ro · barlamantoday.com · abcnews.al
[● 11 SOURCES] The Football Association of Ireland withdrew its support for Infantino's re-election. panow.com · cfjctoday.com · www.elbuentono.com.mx · larongenow.com · barlamantoday.com · +3 more
[● 20 SOURCES] New Zealand Football is seeking an independent review of the steps taken to develop the FIFA Forward Enterprise Scheme. www.bbc.co.uk · www.friendsoffootballnz.com · insidebusiness.ng · www.perthnow.com.au · www.radiostudio90italia.it · +14 more
[● 2 SOURCES] The Football Association of Ireland has withdrawn its support for Gianni Infantino's re-election. cfjctoday.com
[● 15 SOURCES] New Zealand Football has withdrawn its support for Gianni Infantino's re-election bid. www.aljazeera.com · www.bbc.co.uk · www.brasilemfolhas.com.br · notiziedi.it · www.radiostudio90italia.it · +10 more
[○ 1 SOURCE] Donald Trump stated that FIFA would make a ‘terrible error’ if it replaced Gianni Infantino. elinformanteperu.com