Opposition to Gianni Infantino is mounting. Several European football officials are now working on a political offensive against the FIFA president, with the possibility of a vote of no confidence if he does not resign in the coming months. Discussions took place on the sidelines of the UEFA Super Cup match between Paris Saint-Germain and Aston Villa, played Wednesday in Salzburg. The movement now goes beyond the occasional disagreements between UEFA and FIFA. Several leaders want to gather enough support to influence Gianni Infantino's future and, beyond his personal case, fundamentally change the way the governing body of world football operates.
A rebellion is being organized against Gianni Infantino
Relations between UEFA and FIFA have deteriorated significantly. Several members of the European governing body now believe that a change in FIFA's leadership is necessary. Gianni Infantino appears increasingly isolated as several issues have weakened his position. The abandonment of a controversial project concerning the commercialization of certain FIFA competitions has notably fueled tensions. The FIFA president is also facing the fallout from a favoritism scandal involving a former UEFA employee with whom he allegedly had an affair. These various events have reinforced the distrust of some international football officials.
UEFA is looking for allies worldwide
The organization led by Aleksander Ceferin is not working alone. The European Club Association, chaired by Nasser al-Khelaïfi, as well as officials from the AFC (Asian Football Confederation) and CONCACAF are involved in the discussions. The goal is to gather sufficient support in anticipation of FIFA's upcoming institutional deadlines. Several leaders are thus working behind the scenes to build a united front capable of directly influencing Gianni Infantino's future. The protest would therefore no longer be limited to European football and could gradually spread to other confederations.
A vote of no confidence if Infantino does not resign
The threat is now explicit. Several UEFA officials are considering triggering a vote if Gianni Infantino remains FIFA president : "A motion of no confidence will be voted on if Gianni Infantino does not leave his post in the coming months." Those behind this move are now seeking the necessary votes to transform this threat into a genuine power struggle within FIFA. Gianni Infantino's departure would then constitute the first step in a much broader reorganization of the institution.
A major reform of FIFA is being considered.
The discussions aren't just about the president's name. Several officials want to use the crisis to change FIFA's very structure. Among the options being considered is separating the organization's three main activities: regulating world football, managing its commercial operations, and organizing competitions. The idea would be to further distinguish these different functions so they are no longer concentrated within a single decision-making body. Clubs could also gain more power. Currently, they have only a limited role in FIFA's institutional functioning and are essentially considered mere observers.
Gianni Infantino's power directly threatened
Elected for the first time as FIFA president in 2016, Gianni Infantino is facing one of the most serious institutional challenges since taking office. UEFA and its allies are now trying to build a large enough majority to force a change in leadership if the FIFA president refuses to step down. The coming months will be crucial. A segment of European football and several officials from other confederations are now openly preparing for a post-Infantino era, with the possibility of a vote of no confidence and a complete overhaul of FIFA's operations.
